Chapter 12: A New Life

Illyra’s eyes snapped open with the creak of iron. Rusty hinges stiff with disuse groaned as her cell door was pushed open. She sat up on her cot, quickly arranging her tattered dress around her.

“Princess,” Sabriel’s voice, a voice that was becoming familiar to her, called into the darkness.

“I guess I’m weak enough now that you don’t fear me running off,” Illyra muttered, nodding towards the open door.

“Actually, I’m here to get you out of this cell,” Sabriel said, a gentle smile on her lips.

“Get me out?” Illyra asked. She crossed her arms and took a half step back.

“Skylar… the Snow King has agreed to move you to more comfortable accommodations while you stay with us,” Sabriel offered, her lips stretching even more.

“Why?” Illyra asked, arching an eyebrow.

“You’re going to be here a while. Do you really want to spend it underground in a dirty cell?” the other woman asked back.

Illyra sighed, muscles sagging. “No, I don’t.”