The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Venice's betrayal wasn't the only thing that had taken his magic. The part of him that had driven him to this point—the ambition, the desire to prove himself—was also gone. Without it, he was lost. Yet, in the depth of that loss, he found something else.
A new purpose.
Mathea had made him see things differently. She was the one who had shown him that there was more to life than power. She was the one who had opened his eyes to a world beyond ambition. Maybe this wasn't about winning his father's approval anymore. Maybe this was about something else entirely.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just Venice he had to answer to. It was also his own choices, his own actions, that had led him to this place.
As he turned back to the campfire, the warmth from the flames kissed his skin, but it did little to ease the cold emptiness in his chest. He was still the prince without power, the man who had lost everything to his own folly.
And yet, for the first time in a long time, he felt a flicker of something else—a desire to fight for something more than his own gain.
For her. For his cousin, Mathea and for her group.
He was still uncertain of what would happen when they finally confronted Lord Anjo, or what the outcome of their mission would be. But he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to let his past mistakes define him anymore. And he wasn't going to leave Mathea and the others behind—not when he had a chance to make things right.
With a slow breath, Andrei made his decision. He would not let Venice's betrayal be his final act. He would find another way to regain his power, not by betraying others, but by fighting for something that mattered.
Turning toward Mathea, who was now speaking with Athena, he steeled himself. The road ahead was fraught with danger, and the darkness was still closing in around them. But this time, Andrei was determined to walk that path not for the promise of power, but for the promise of redemption.
And for the first time in his life, he felt a glimmer of hope.
The soft crackling of the fire and the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees created an almost serene atmosphere around the camp, but Jea couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled deep in her gut. She had been watching Andrei closely since their escape from the dark forest, and something about him had changed. She couldn't ignore the feeling that his transformation wasn't just physical. There was something more to it—something darker.
After checking on Juan and the two pets, who were sleeping soundly beside the warmth of the fire, Jea quietly made her way over to where Mathea sat, her expression a mix of contemplation and concern.
Mathea didn't need to ask what was on Jea's mind. She had seen the subtle, almost imperceptible glances Jea had been casting at Andrei. The bond that had formed between them on this journey had made them all more attuned to each other, and Mathea could see the worry in Jea's eyes.
"Mathea," Jea began, her voice low but steady, "I need to ask you something. Can we trust Andrei?" She hesitated for a moment, as though weighing her words carefully. "I can see it, Mathea. His magic… it's dying. It's not just that. There's something dark swirling in him. I feel it every time he's near. He's changing. I don't know if he even realizes it, but I think he's becoming someone willing to sacrifice himself for something—or for someone. I don't know if it's us, or if it's his past… but I'm worried."
Mathea's brow furrowed at Jea's words. She looked over at Andrei, who was sitting a little further away, seemingly lost in thought as he stared into the fire. He didn't look dangerous. He didn't look like someone who could betray them, but Jea's instincts had always been sharp. Andrei's transformation wasn't just physical. Mathea could feel it, too, even if she hadn't been able to fully name it.
Taking a slow breath, Mathea turned back to Jea. "I understand your concern," she said, her voice calm but firm. "But I can assure you that Andrei won't betray us. He may have a dark past, but he's not the same man he was when we first met. He's changed, too. He's fighting for something now. He may not even know what exactly, but it's not just power anymore."
Jea narrowed her eyes, as if weighing Mathea's words carefully. "But the shadows in him… they're still there. It's like he's teetering on the edge of something. I can feel the pull, Mathea. Something is drawing him."
Mathea sighed softly, her thoughts heavy. "I know. I can feel it, too." She glanced back at Andrei, her gaze softening for a moment. "But what worries me more is that I think Andrei might leave us. I fear he'll try to go after Lord Anjo himself, thinking that it's the only way to regain his magic. He's always been driven by that need for approval, and right now, it's all he has left. I don't think he'll betray us, but I do think he'll go to great lengths to prove himself—even if it means putting us in danger."
Jea looked thoughtful. She could see the pain in Mathea's eyes, the weight of her words. It wasn't just Andrei's magic or the darkness within him that concerned Mathea—it was the fear of losing him, the fear of him going down a path that could lead him to ruin.
"You don't think he'll betray us, then?" Jea asked again, her tone almost a whisper as if she were seeking reassurance.
Mathea shook her head. "I don't believe he will. Not in the way you're worried. But... I don't know if he'll stay with us when the time comes to face Lord Anjo. I think he might think he can do it alone. But we can't let him."
There was a brief silence as Jea absorbed Mathea's words. "So, you'll stop him, if he tries?" she asked, her voice steady.
Mathea hesitated for a moment, a slight tremor in her voice. "If it comes to that, I will. I'll remind him of what he's fighting for. Not power, not his father's approval. But something more—something that matters. I'll remind him that we're in this together, and he's not alone anymore."
Jea's gaze softened, her concern turning into quiet determination. "You're right," she said, nodding. "I just hope he doesn't make that mistake. But if he does, we'll be here to bring him back."
Mathea smiled, grateful for Jea's unwavering support. She knew that the journey ahead was going to be fraught with difficult choices—choices that would test not only their strength but also their trust in one another. But in that moment, with Jea by her side, she felt a renewed sense of hope. Together, they could face whatever was to come.
"I hope he realizes that soon," Mathea said softly, her gaze drifting back to Andrei, who was still lost in his own thoughts. She hoped that, despite the darkness inside him, he would find his way back to them—before it was too late.