It happened one day when I was sitting in my room by myself, staring at my sun catcher. It had actually happened a few times before, but never too noticeably. I didn't even know what it was before until now.

All I did was yawn and stretch, but it was enough to trigger it.

Black mist was the only way I could describe it. It looked like mist, it moved like mist, it even evaporated into the air like mist.

"Wow." I breathed.

I stretched my arm out again, but nothing happened.

"Come on, do it again." I tried coaxing myself, but the mist didn't appear again.

Even though the mist didn't come, I already knew- even at my young age- what this meant.

"I have powers! I have powers!" Jumping on my bed, I laughed, excited at what I could do.

It suddenly dawned on me what this actually meant- the full weight. Powers were a huge responsibility and I needed to train myself so I could learn to control it. It was usually best if someone else with powers helped train you. It was a good thing I knew the perfect person.

I hurried out of my room to find my mother. Racing down the empty corridors and flying down the stairs. I was going so fast I only caught a clip of my name being called from a room I passed. Backing up, I glanced in the room and smiled.

"Swethyna!" I jumped up and down, bubbling over with joy. I wanted to tell her about my new abilities. "Swethyna, guess what."

She walked over to me. "What are you so excited about? And guess what?"

"You have to guess what I'm excited about," I replied barely keeping my mouth closed about the secret.

Putting a finger on her chin she began to think.

"Did you meet a new animal friend?"

"Nope. Guess again."

"Did you hear a new story?"

"Nah-uh."

She gave a playful, exaggerated sighed. "I haven't a clue, love."

I grinned. "You give up?"

"I guess so. It's not a new friend, not a new exciting story, I'm all out of ideas."

I held out my hand. "I got powers, Swethyna. I really did."

Her eyes lit up like stars. "Ah, did you now. Let me see 'em."

I pulled my hand back. "That's the thing. I can't control them yet, so I'm going to get momma to teach me how to use them since she has powers as well."

"Well, that's a good idea, love. If anyone can help you, it's your mother."

My mother could control winter with a flick of her hand. It was different than my powers- whatever they were exactly- but the concept should be the same.

"Where's my mom?" My excitement started back up. "Do you know where she is? I have to tell her."

Swethyna's face dropped for a second before she fought to replace it again. But her voice faltered as she spoke.

"Oh, I believe she's in the throne room right now."

I was already bouncing to get there, but she caught my arm.

"Xalale, why don't we go to the library to a look for some books about this?"

I frowned at her. "Why? Momma could help me better than those books could."

"I know, but right now your mother's busy being queen right now. We shouldn't disturb her."

She seemed nervous all of a sudden, which confused me. I wanted to argue that my mother would be understanding if we interrupted her- it was an important cause and she would surely understand. But I nodded my head and let Swethyna lead me to the library, where we looked through numerous books about powers. It was boring, but I didn't want Swethyna to know that. I really wanted to tell my mother about my powers.

By the end of our book session, I was beginning to doubt myself.

"What if I don't really have powers?" I said disappointedly.

"What do you mean?" Swethyna set down a heavy volume to give me a concerned look.

"I mean, what if I was imagining that I had powers. I know momma has them and I always want to be like her, but- but what if I don't have them?"

"It doesn't matter whether you do or don't have them, love. I know you want to be like your mother, but she'll love you regardless. Whether you have powers or not."

I nodded then looked at her. "Besides, powers seem like a lot of work."

She smiled and gave my hand a squeeze. "They sure are."

"Yeah, I'd rather play outside anyway."

"That's the way to think. Who knows, you may have powers. You'll be a late bloomer and there's nothing wrong with that."

My mother didn't come into my room until I started drifting off into sleep.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Today has been very busy." She said sitting on the edge of my bed. "How was your day?"

"It was good," I mumbled, still partly asleep.

"That's good."

Suddenly, I remembered why I was excited today. I opened my mouth to tell her about my powers, but no words come out.

"What is it?" She asked.

For some reason, I felt like if I would tell her, I would disappoint her. I don't know why I felt this way, but it's enough to shut me down and forget about telling her.

"I'm a late bloomer," I said smiling.

She gives me a thoughtful look.

"A late bloomer in what, dear?"

"You'll have to find out."

She smiled then leans down and kissed my forehead, smoothing my hair out of my face.

"You're a clever boy Xalale."

I watched her head to the door, glancing over her shoulder to whisper goodnight to me, before slipping out.

Waiting for a minute, I kicked the sheets off and hurried to sit near my window. It was the only place with enough light to see what I needed to see.

Gingerly, I stuck out my hand and waited. I waited for the black mist to appear, to confirm what I've been suspecting. But it never came. Eventually, my feet get cold and my eyelids were weighing down. I returned to my bed.

"Just a late bloomer," I whispered to myself.