“Yes. He never stopped searching. He questioned me again just last week trying to find something he’d missed. He even stays in Aurora’s old rooms.”

“Interesting.” Her companion nodded. Continuing, she said, “For today, keep things simple. You had no idea we were coming. We are friends, and we freed you in the chaos of the storm. You know nothing about any rebellion, no mention of Aurora, and if anyone asks about how you were able to touch the firestorm embers, you tell them you were given firestorm powder, understand?”

Nova’s spine went stiff at the last instruction.

“Yes,” the warrior witch continued. “I noticed you pelting my opponents with embers, and I don’t recall you screaming in pain. Nor do I see any burns on your hands now.” The girl tilted her head, and her dark hair fanned over her shoulder, softening her fierce appearance. “Does Aurora know you are a fire witch?”

Heat crept up the back of Nova’s neck, and a little wisp of smoke danced up from her clenched fist. Novaya had always imagined the moment her secret came out would be much more disastrous. She feared punishment or exile or even a fight to protect herself. Instead, it had come with a tiny flicker of shocked flame, snuffed in an instant. The years of agonized fear had prepared her for the worst, and now she was amazed by how freeing it felt not to carry the knowledge alone anymore.

Of course she was still technically being held captive, probably for more serious crimes now, and her position had just become even more precarious, but yesterday Nova had been in this alone. Every day it had been her in that cell with that too-small window, and that burned bed no good for sleeping, and the memories and worries that pressed down until even breathing felt like work. But now she knew Aurora was alive, that she had a whole team of people working to help Pavan, and she had this witch, who was far more courageous and capable than she.

Goddess knew she was still afraid, but she was not alone, and that made all the difference.

“I suppose that’s a no?” the other witch asked.

Nova answered, “No one knows. It has been my secret since I moved to Pavan as a child.”

“From where?”

“Taraanar. My father was a trade adviser there, before … before we had to leave to keep my secret after an incident with my magic.”

The earth witch nodded. “I know my manifestation was dramatic. I can only imagine how much more terror you felt to have fire at the tips of your child-sized fingers.”