Nova shrugged. “At least I had a life here. I could have been caught back in Taraanar or any number of times since then. It was a miracle each day I sat in that cell and did not set the entire place alight.”

“Perhaps you should have.”

Nova shook her head hard.

“You don’t understand what is inside me. You, your gift is about creation and balance and beauty. Mine is destruction. It is death. Even if it had gotten me free, it likely would have hurt many who did not deserve it in the process. I do not let it out, not ever if I can help it. Every time I do, it only brings worse things upon me and those I care about.”

“Surely you cannot resist it completely,” Jinx said. “I let out trace amounts of earth magic without even trying. It’s a natural reaction anytime I am close to the natural element. I feed off the earth and plants and the trees, and they off of me. I suppose with fire, you are not surrounded as constantly, but I assume you have the same natural propulsion as I.”

“I am drawn to it, of course. And the flames do rise closer to the surface when I am near natural fire. Also when I am agitated or emotional, as I said. But I have become quite practiced at burying the magic deep enough that I have at least some control.”

“Burying it?”

“Yes,” Nova answered. “It is the only way to be completely safe. I do my best to avoid contact with people, but sometimes the soldiers do not give me any choice. I need as many barriers between my magic and my skin as possible to keep from burning them.”

“So you do not touch anyone. Ever?”

“I have. It is just easier if I don’t.”

“But you shook my hand. I have touched you several times since then, and you said nothing.”

Nova felt an unfamiliar heat creeping up her cheeks. She checked her magic, but the flames were still safely locked away. It had nothing to do with that.

“I think it is different with other magic users. I was always more comfortable with contact with Aurora too, but I did not understand why. I thought it was because we were friends, and I simply trusted myself never to hurt her.”

“That could still be it. Magic is intuitive. It is a part of you. When engaged correctly it should flow according to your desires and intentions, not against them.”

“Perhaps that is how your magic works, but not mine. It has always been the monster in the depths, wreaking havoc no matter how I try to control it.”

Jinx peered at her, and Nova had to fight not to squirm under her attention. “You are so afraid of yourself.”