Emperor of Annihilation

PROLOUGE.

"You will shine brighter than any other star in the solar system, even in the dark. You will outshine the moon, because you, Clementine, are special."

Aunt Giselle used to tell me that as she cradled me in her arms, reciting her favourite poetry, making sure that I knew that every positive, enchanted word she spouted out of her mouth was for me.

I was Aurora and she, my fairy godmother.

I wish I could say my family treated like the princess Aunt Giselle knew I was, but then I'd be lying.

Dad was barely around for me to recognize him as a father figure, so I found comfort in other people. The times he would come around, he would barely spare me a glance.

A shudder creeps up my spine when I remember the way my own mother used to look at me.

Like she wanted me dead.

My aunts and uncles—apart from Giselle and her husband, looked at me like I was a disaster about to happen. I was an unplanned child and an even more messed up one.

My ears perk up at the sound of loud screams and then a bang. Dad and Mom are fighting again. It took me a while to grasp the severity of the situation. Dad and Mom are fighting again.

I dropped the barbies Mia had given me, ran to my bed and crawled underneath, covering my ears.

At moments like this, I usually cradle my stuffed animals that Giselle had gifted for my 11th birthday, but Mom threw them both away during one of her episodes.

I tasted tears before I felt them. My eyes widen and my lips go into a pout at the wet stain on my shirt. If Mom found out I was crying again..

Suddenly there's three loud bangs. My heart pounds in my chest. Against my better judgement, I peak my head out.

Standing on the other side of my glass balcony was Eze. My best friend.

His hair is wet and so are his clothes. It's raining? I pushed my little body out from under the bed and ran to open the door. That's when he doves into my arms, engulfing me in a big hug.

His hugs are the best, but that's because he's taller and has a lot more muscle than an average twelve year old should. Oh, and also because his hair is soft and he smells good, almost like pinewood.

I hug him back, wetting his shirt with tears. When I realize the mess I made on his designer shirt, I go to apologize but he stops, taking my hand in his.

"I heard them, ace." He said, shaking his head. "Did Nadine hit you?"

Unlike Mom who uses every opportunity to whip me into being a perfect debutante, Dad resorted to belittling me with words, not with spankings. The most they'll do is take away my food. They never once put their hands on me.

I shake my head no and he sighs with relief, cradling my bead into his shoulders where I sob some more.

Eze has been my friend since my birth. He's the only one I can trust enough to share secrets with, apart from Mia, but she's a loudmouth.

"Thank you.." I sniffled.

"For what?"

"For coming."

His expression changed from angry to confused before morphing into a smile. I watch as it sweeps over the face I've learnt to trust.

"You know I'd do anything for you, Ace."

I looked up at him, my arms still wrapped around his torso. "Promise?"

Eze's grin widened. "Promise. You'll always be my sunshine, even on the darkest days."

My cheeks flushed and I punch his arm, pointing a finger in his face. "You better mean that, mister."

He pretended that my hit actually hurt him, hissing at the impact. But I knew better. Nothing could ever break Eze.

I hug him until the pain goes away and my sniffles soon turn into bubbly laughter. "Promise you'll never leave me, Eze."

"Never, Ace. You're my salvation and without you life is meaningless."

I smiled against his skin. "From now on, you're mine."

"And you're mine."