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.

before softening

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

about her brother again, nor have I seen

it doesn't change the fact

your brother after

deeply, her shoulders stiffening as though bracing against my words. She looked away again, her fingers tightening against mine as though she needed

"But the crime he had committed is too much. He deserves his punishment and he deserves to be

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

lips parting as though she wanted to argue,

there was a terror

side, biting down on

moment, her voice trembling but sincere. "know this isn't easy

to set him after years had

for sparing his life for my

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

too," I said softly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

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

you for it. He... he's made choices that I

I spoke. "The only reason I brought

intentions. To find out if he had made more

parting in surprise. "Do

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

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