Rising Winds of Fate

Amelia awoke to the aroma of a simple but hearty breakfast. John, sitting across from her at a wooden table, poured steaming tea into a chipped cup. His silver eyes showed concern as he glanced at her.

"How did you sleep?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Amelia hesitated for a moment, then replied with a small smile, "It was great."

John raised an eyebrow, not convinced by her response. "You don't have to lie, Amelia. I understand it's not easy, but things will get better over time."

Amelia looked down with sadness, her gratitude evident in her eyes. She nodded silently, appreciating John's understanding.

As they sat there, a shirtless Jace entered the room. Amelia's gaze involuntarily wandered to his muscular physique, and they locked eyes for a moment, a silent tension between them. John interrupted the silent exchange, saying, "Join us for breakfast, Jace."

Jace's response was curt. "No, I'm heading outside for training."

He gave Amelia one more lingering look before turning and leaving the room. Amelia felt a flush of embarrassment and quickly averted her gaze.

John noticed her confusion and cleared his throat. "Now that you've turned eighteen, your powers have grown stronger. But you might also have hidden abilities that need unlocking."

Amelia's brow furrowed in thought. "Nothing much has changed since I turned eighteen, but I don't feel entirely in control."

John nodded understandingly. "Don't worry; we'll work on that today. It's crucial for you to gain control of your abilities. You need to be prepared to defend yourself against the half-breeds."

Amelia joined Jace outside for training. She could feel his hostility and frustration with her, but she was determined to prove herself. As they sparred, John observed, offering occasional advice.

Jace launched an attack, which Amelia skillfully blocked. She glanced at John, who nodded approvingly. But Jace wasn't pleased; he lunged again, this time catching Amelia off guard. She fell to the ground, frustrated.

"Rule number one, Amelia," Jace said coldly, "never underestimate your opponent."

Amelia gritted her teeth and stood up, determined not to let Jace's hostility get to her. He attacked again, and this time, something within Amelia clicked. She felt a surge of power, and before she knew it, the wind obeyed her command.

A powerful gust of wind knocked Jace off his feet, sending him tumbling backward. He landed on the ground with a thud, completely winded and defeated.

Amelia's eyes widened in shock as she realized what had just happened. John's expression mirrored her astonishment.

John approached her, his eyes filled with amazement. "Well, that's a new one, Amelia. You have control over the wind."

Amelia blinked, still trying to process what had occurred. She had unlocked a hidden power of manipulating the elements.

Jace, on the other hand, was less impressed. He pushed Amelia away as she tried to help him up and walked past his father, John. John shook his head, his expression troubled.

Amelia couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease about Jace's intense hostility towards her. She turned to John and asked softly, "Why does he hate me so much?"

John sighed, his gaze distant as he explained, "Jace's mother died trying to protect him when he was just a child. The King was sure that the prophecy of the full-blooded silver would be fulfilled by a boy, not a girl. He ordered all young boys to be tested, but what the people didn't know was that the tests often resulted in the children's deaths."

Amelia's eyes widened in horror at the revelation, realizing the trauma that Jace had endured. The burden of expectation and the loss of his mother had clearly shaped him into the person he had become.

Amelia looked to John, concerned about Jace's reaction. "Does he blame me for what happened?"

John sighed and placed a hand on Amelia's shoulder. "No, it's not your fault. Remember, he was just a small boy when his mother was killed. He loved her dearly, and she used to tell him stories about full-blooded silvers like you, stories of hope and heroism. The King's actions scarred him deeply."

John glanced at the time and said, "Let's go get some dinner; it's getting late."

Amelia followed John back inside, the events of the day leaving her with a mixture of emotions. Her hidden power had been revealed, but it had also strained her relationship with Jace. As they sat down for dinner, she couldn't help but wonder how her newfound abilities would fit into her destiny and the challenges that lay ahead.