Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 429

Chapter 429: Family on the Edge

Astrid's POV

The corridors leading to the infirmary felt impossibly long, the walls closing in on me with every step.

My heart pounded, a relentless drumbeat of panic and guilt, louder than my own breath, louder than the torches flickering along the stone walls.

Ryker.

My son.

The thought of him lying there, unconscious and injured, made my stomach twist violently. I should have been there. I should have protected them both.

Killian's hand was firm on the small of my back, steadying me, grounding me, but I barely felt it.

The only thing I could focus on was the door ahead, slightly ajar, spilling faint light into the dim hallway.

I hesitated for only a second before pushing it open.

The moment I saw him, my legs nearly gave out beneath me.

Ryker lay on the bed, his small body dwarfed by the sheets tucked around him.

His face was too pale, his lashes dark against his cheeks, his breathing slow and shallow.

A thick bandage was wrapped around his head, stark against his golden hair.

My vision blurred as I rushed to his side, my hands trembling as they hovered over him before finally, gently, gripping his hand.

His fingers were warm but limp in mine.

Tears burned my eyes, hot and unrelenting.

"Ryker," I whispered, my voice breaking.

He didn't stir.

I tightened my grip on his small hand, my thumb brushing over his knuckles, as if I could will him to wake up, to open those sharp, intelligent eyes and tell me he was okay.

But he didn't move.

escaped my throat, and

wasn't there," I whispered hoarsely, to no one in particular. "I should have been there.

"Astrid."

arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me against

comforting, but nothing could ease the weight crushing

top of my head, his hold firm but

of yourself too," he murmured. "Too much stress, too

of her name, a fresh wave of pain surged through me,

now he's-"

Ryker is still here. And

breaking. That I had shattered the moment Elara's screams

But I didn't.

standing at the foot of Ryker's cot, waiting patiently for me

I wasn't.

to ask

steady eyes and a calm presence-exhaled softly before speaking. "Ryker was thrown against the

grip on

firm, reassuring, "he didn't suffer any serious injuries. The worst was the impact to his head, which caused some swelling,

though he

nearly

gently to sit on the cot beside Ryker, his hand never

added with a small

him.

a long time, I just sat the handled

fingers

my

covering mouth as I fought to steady my

was quiet except for the soft crackling of the torches and the

fabric as Killian sat beside

his warmth, letting his

far into my

Then-

movement against my

My eyes snapped open.

twitched in

my heart leaping into

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