Reclaiming My Broken Luna 2

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.

A broken sound escaped my throat, and my shoulders shook.

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

"Astrid."

Killian's arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me against his chest.

His warmth should have been comforting, but nothing could ease the weight crushing my heart.

His chin pressed against the top of my head, his hold firm but not constricting.

"You have to take care of yourself too," he murmured. "Too much stress, too much grief-it won't help him. It won't help Elara."

At the mention of her name, a fresh wave of pain surged through me, cutting deep, slicing through my ribs, my lungs, my heart.

I squeezed my eyes shut. "They took her, Killian. And now he's-" I sucked in a sharp breath, unable to say it out loud.

"I know." His grip tightened. "But Ryker is still here. And he needs his mother strong. You can't break now."

I wanted to scream that I was already breaking. That I had shattered the moment Elara's screams had echoed in my ears, the moment I had hit the ground, helpless.

But I didn't.

Instead, I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to the doctor standing at the foot of Ryker's cot, waiting patiently for me to be ready.

I wasn't.

But I forced myself to ask anyway. "What happened?"

The doctor-a graying man with steady eyes and a calm presence-exhaled softly before speaking. "Ryker was thrown against the wall during the attack. He hit his head hard enough to lose consciousness."

My grip on his hand tightened.

"But," the doctor continued, his tone firm, reassuring, "he didn't suffer any serious injuries. The worst was the impact to his head, which caused some swelling, but nothing life-threatening.

We expect him to wake soon, though he will feel weak for a while."

My knees nearly buckled with relief.

Killian, sensing it, guided me gently to sit on the cot beside Ryker, his hand never leaving my shoulder.

"He's strong," the doctor added with a small nod. "Just like his parents."

I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him.

For a long time, I just sat the handled around my son's

fingers

my

d, my free hand covering mouth as I fought to steady my breathing.

The room was quiet except for the soft crackling of the torches and the faint rustle

of fabric as Killian sat beside me.

I closed my eyes, leaning into his warmth, letting his presence keep me from

slipping too far into my own despair.

Then-

A faint, barely-there movement against my palm.

My eyes snapped open.

Ryker's fingers twitched in my grasp.

I inhaled sharply, my heart leaping into my throat. "Ryker?"

His lashes fluttered, his small brow creasing as if the very act of opening his eyes

was exhausting.

Slowly, painfully, they peeled open-bleary, unfocused, but bright blue, just like mine.

I choked on a sob, smoothing his hair back. "Baby, I'm here. Mommy's here."

He blinked sluggishly, his tiny body shifting beneath the sheets. "Mom..." His voice was raspy, barely above a whisper.

I nodded quickly, brushing away the tears slipping down my cheeks. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm right here."

His small fingers curled slightly

around mine, his grip weak but there. Then his lips parted again, and whathe said next shattered me all over again.

"Elara?"

His gaze, though heavy with exhaustion, was filled with something deeper. Something fragile. Something afraid.

Tears welled up in my eyes again, thick and suffocating. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

"Where is my sister?" Ryker asked worriedly, despite the pain that he is in right now. "Did they took her?"

Killian's hand was suddenly on my back, grounding me, steadying me.

"She will be okay," Killian said gently, his voice as steady as stone. "And we're going to bring her home."

Ryker's face twisted slightly, pain flashing through his young features, but he still managed to whisper, "I... I tried to stop them."

I clenched my jaw, my throat aching.

"I know, baby," I said softly, kissing his knuckles. "I know you did."

His lashes fluttered again, his breathing slow, and within moments, he was asleep

once more.

I exhaled shakily, pressing my forehead to his small hand.

Killian's fingers brushed down my spine. "Astrid," he murmured, low and quiet.

I didn't look at him. I couldn't.

Because all I could think about was how terrified my baby girl must be.

And how I would burn the entire world down to bring her back.noveldrama