B. | Inkscribes

The Twisting nether of the curse pushed inward crushing Briar within the deep realms of sleep. This was it. This time the hold wouldn't ebb and she would certainly die.

Never setting her gaze on her family again.

She screamed and a rush of warmth swept over her as a pinprick of light appeared in the vast abyss. Briar struggled, reaching for the light.

Had her prince finally come for her?

The curse tightened around her, unwillingly to release its hold.

The speck of light brightened and Briar's brushed the warm glow with the tips of her fingers. The light swelled until it enveloped her whole body.

But still the curse lingered.

Briar awoke with a gasp, the light faded leaving her in a room so dark she wasn't sure if she was awake or still within the cursed realm.

Her chest rose and fell with soft erratic breaths as Briar became aware of her surroundings. Her bed, her room. But so old it was as if it had been abandoned.

How long had she been asleep?

A cloak covered her naked body, worn but not eaten by time. Her Prince's? Where was he? Briar shifted on the bed and forced herself upright. As she did the weight of the curse bore down on her and stole the breath from her lungs.

What was happening? Had she not been freed from her spell? Had not a prince given her a kiss of true love to awaken her?

Her legs shook as she stood.

There was nothing and no one to answer her questions.

No Prince to save her from a curse that still clung to her like cobwebs.

It left her with only one choice.

To save herself.