Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 398: Tied by Blood

Astrid's POV

I stared deep into Asha's eyes, clouded with emotions she clearly struggled to

suppress.

The faint shimmer of tears made her gaze softer, more vulnerable than I had seen

in years.

My heart wrenched for her, for the conflict I knew was tearing her apart.

"It's alright, Asha," I said gently, cupping her hands to steady the tremor in them. "I didn't bring him here to hurt him."

Asha let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping as though a heavy weight had been lifted.

I leaned towards her when I noticed her eyes squint in thoughts as if she still had something to say to me.

She retreated back from the intensity of my gaze. “I-I... I just,” she hesitated., her pale eyes drifting away from me.

"It's okay," I said softly, breaking the silence.

I squeezed her hands gently, willing her to look at me again. If you want to see him, you're free to go."

Her head snapped up, her expression startled, as though the offer itself had caught her off guard.

sharp before softening into a murmur.

her carefully, noting the faint tremble in her jaw and the way her eyes

speak about her brother again, nor have

like he disappeared completely from Asha's life, but it doesn't change the fact that Andros once existed in Astrid's life. He was once Asha's brother whom she had grown up

still your brother after all. It's been a long time since

words. She looked away again, her fingers tightening against mine as though she needed

miss him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But the crime he had committed is too much. He deserves his

him like this, you are also punishing yourself too," I muttered, stealing her attention. "If you want to see him, then just see him. Don't think about proprieties or

wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded, the smallest movement of

a terror

slightly. She turned her face to the side, biting down on her lower lip as though

you, Astrid," she said after a moment, her voice trembling but sincere. "know

keep him alive and to set him after years had

sparing his life

felt like a quiet plea for understanding, and I could see how much she was trying to hold

despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "No

to push through the weight of the truth. "But I can't ignore what he's done either. I can't condone his actions, Asha. You

somber. "I do. And I don't blame you for it. He...

my voice as I spoke. "The only reason I

his intentions. To find out if he had made more deals with

her lips parting in surprise. "Do you think he

I admitted. "But I couldn't risk leaving him out there, not after everything we've been through. If he has something to

nodded again, her gaze falling to the ground, understand. And I trust you to handle it. Just... promise me, Astrid. Promise me you'll give him a chance to explain himself before..." Her voice broke, and she