Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

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.

"No," she said quickly, her voice a little too sharp before softening into a murmur. "I cannot do that... it's inappropriate."

I studied her carefully, noting the faint tremble in her jaw and the way her eyes flickered in unspoken conflict.

Ever since Andros was banished, I've never heard Asha speak about her brother again, nor have I seen her shed a tear about him.

When Andros left, it was 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 with.

"I understand, Asha," I replied quietly. "Although he is a criminal, he is still your brother after all. It's been a long time since you have last seen him. I know you miss him."

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

"I do miss him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But the crime he had committed is too much. He deserves his punishment and he deserves to be abandoned by us, by me."

"But by punishing 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 anything else."

She hesitated, her lips parting as though she wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded, the smallest movement of her head.

"I will," she murmured, though there was a terror in her voice. "But not now."

Asha pulled her hands from mine, stepping back slightly. She turned her face to the side, biting down on her lower lip as though the action could keep her emotions at bay.

"Thank you, Astrid," she said after a moment, her voice trembling but sincere. "know this isn't easy for

you, to keep him alive and to set him after years had passed

you for sparing his life for my sake."

Her words felt like a quiet plea for understanding, and I could see how much she was trying to hold herself together.

"Andros is my brother too," I said softly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "No matter what he's done, that fact doesn't change."

I took a deep 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, Asha. You know that."

She nodded, her expression somber. "I do. And I don't blame you for it. He... he's made choices that I can't defend either. Father needs to have justice as well."

I stepped closer, lowering my voice as I spoke. "The only reason I brought him

here was to figure out his intentions. To find out if he had made more deals with the rogues."

Asha's brows furrowed slightly, her lips parting in surprise. "Do you think he does?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "But I couldn't risk leaving him out there, not after everything we've been through. If he has something to do with the rogues, we need to know."

She 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 looked away.

"I promise," I said firmly. "As long as Andros remains no threat to anyone here, I won't harm him."

Asha's shoulders slumped again, this time with a quiet relief that seemed to loosen the tension in her frame. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I stepped back, giving her space to breathe. "You don't need to thank me," I said gently. "I know how much you care for him. And I know this is hard for you."

"It is," she admitted, meeting my eyes again. Her expression was raw, unguarded

in a way I hadn't seen before. "But I'll manage. I'll have to."

There was a strength in her voice that made me believe her, even if her tear- streaked face betrayed the pain she tried to mask.

As the silence settled between us, the warrior who had brought the news lingered nearby, waiting for further instructions. I turned toward him, my expression hardening.

"Take Andros to the holding cells," I ordered, my tone firm. "Make sure he's guarded at all times."

The warrior bowed slightly. "Yes, Luna."

As he turned and disappeared into the shadows, I glanced back at Asha. Her face

was calm now, her emotions carefully hidden once more.

"Just tell me when you change your mind and you decide to meet him,” I said softly.

She nodded, her jaw tightening. "I will."

But as she turned and walked away, I couldn't help but wonder how far is Asha willing to protect her brother.noveldrama