Chapter 4: Unrestrained

“You..” My mother gasped.

She looked astounded as she stared at me. The veins on her wrinkled hands were already protruding due to her inexplicable rage. “W-when did you start using magic? Have you been hiding that for a long time?” She interrogated me. I didn’t understand the magic she was talking about. I thought she stopped that pot herself from hitting me, but it seemed it wasn’t her doing. How did it turn into dust? Is someone trying to protect me?

I was so deep in my thoughts when my witch mother suddenly created fire in her hands. I was flabbergasted as I watched her throw the fire at me. Was she really trying to kill me? Due to the overwhelming event, I forgot to breathe as I gaped at the approaching ball of fire.

My heart freaked out as the flame got closer, but when it was only a few inches away from me, it suddenly turned into a smoke. I couldn’t explain how it happened but I’m thankful I was not burned. I sighed in relief knowing that the universe is still protecting me. Maybe I was not brought here to get killed.

The turn of events made my witch mother infuriated. Her eyes were more intense than earlier. “You’ve been tricking me all this time?! How could you do this to your own mother?!” She exclaimed.

My throat was dried up facing a perilous woman. I got worried when the tiger stepped in front of me before her. I tried to pull it to get it behind me but it was too strong and heavy. It looked back at me and growled softly. My heart melted to the thought that it was trying to protect me. Poor cat, I’m already in love with you.

“What the heck are you doing?” My witch mother asked confusedly. I didn’t realize it at first, but I noticed that there weren't any pawprints on the swampy soil. I had mine and my witch mother’s, but it doesn’t have the tiger’s. Am I the only one seeing it? But Caius just saw it earlier too. The tiger started puzzling me…

“A-are you not seeing any tiger in here?” I asked warily. Her forehead creased as she looked around but the tiger was just standing in front of her. Her reaction confirmed that the tiger wasn’t visible to her.

“Nonsense! Are you trying to scare me now? Get inside and I’ll make you get back to your senses!” She yelled.

I was more flustered when she walked past the tiger and she just went through it. She pulled my right arm and dragged me inside the house. She’s got stronger arms than me at my young age. I watched the tiger growling at my mother as it walked behind us. She pushed me into a gloomy room painted with faded crimson red. I whimpered as I stumbled on the floor. The wound on my foot still aches.

“Let’s see how many spells you’ve got under your sleeves. I’ll cancel your wedding if you’ll be able to pass through this room.” She slammed the door and I heard the clicking of the lock behind. Did she just lock me in this depressing room?

I looked around and noticed there was just a small bed with tattered beddings and a shabby bedside table. The only light that came through was from the railed window near the ceiling. This seemed more like a prison than a room. My heart leaped when I saw the tiger’s head popping out from the closed door. I glided to the edge of the bed as the tiger went through the wooden door. It stopped right in front of my face and licked me, making me freeze.

“What are you?” I gasped as I watched it jump on the bed and stretched its body like how cats do, and it went to sleep. I was already fond of it moments earlier but I’m not sure anymore. It's kinda weird in a scary way. I was still curious why the witch wasn’t seeing it and why it just went through on things. I crawled on the floor to get closer to it. I was sure I had touched it realistically and I even rode on it. It was sound asleep so I slowly reached my hand to touch its fur and confirm. I froze when it suddenly opened its eyes.

“S-sorry, I-I just wanted to confirm something.” I stuttered. I wheezed when it rose from lying on the bed and it abruptly jumped towards me, my back fell on the floor as I stared nervously at its hungry eyes. Am I going to be eaten now?

I bit my lower lip to that terrifying thought while watching it hovering over me. It started to lower its head so I closed my eyes but I suddenly felt its cold tongue trickling my face. It made me giggle so I pushed it slightly. It went beside me and laid on its stomach. The tension I had started to fade. This tiger may seem ghostly but I felt secured around it and it seemed more reliable than anyone I’ve already met in this place.

I rested my head on its back and watched the patched ceiling. My forehead creased when I realized that I still don’t know its name. This tiger is so mysterious, what if it talks too? I got goosebumps as I imagined it, but still, I tilted my head towards its face and asked rashly, “Can I know your name?” I waited for a moment but it didn’t move so I thought I should just name it instead. I watched the ceiling again and started thinking of a good name for it. I remembered we’ve discussed Arabic names of animals during our history class. I tried to recall the Arabic name for tiger in Hebrew.

“Naa-meer?” I draweld. I flinched when the tiger suddenly raised its head and turned to me. “You like that name?” I asked amusedly and it started brushing its head to my face. “Fine, fine. I’ll call you Namir from now on.” I giggled. It stopped and laid on the floor again. I gently stroke its fur with my small fingers, while having thoughts of bringing it home with me. My hands halted when I realized I don’t even have a clue how to get back. That thought made my eyes teary. I’m already missing my mom. My stomach growled bluntly. And I’m hungry!

I heard a loud creaking of the door outside and footsteps pattering on the floor. There was a sonorous voice of a woman talking indistinctly. I got curious so I glided to the closed door and eavesdropped on their conversation.

“I will move the wedding next week. The earlier the better. Remind your daughter about her duty and make sure she won't be attached to that prince.” The woman said.

“You don’t have to worry my queen, my daughter is well-mannered and you know she has been obedient to you ever since she was a child. She’ll probably bear a prince of witch blood for you, my queen.” My mother said assuringly.

What???

“Once she gets pregnant, she must kill Caius and Morrigan. We won’t be needing them onwards. Where is she by the way?” The woman asked ruggedly. My body cringed to that evil plan. What kind of people are these? Their wickedness is overflowing.

“Sh-she’s currently in the woods… refining her spells. I’ll make sure to relay this to her once she gets home.” My mother lied sternly. I wanted to shout and tell them that I’m against their plan, but knowing that these people outside are not ordinary humans, I must zip my mouth and just make a plan to escape from here.

“Oh. How persevering! I guess I didn’t make a mistake choosing her. I want to talk to her sometime and test her abilities. I am hoping for an entertaining duel with her. Tell her to visit me in my castle whenever she’s confident.” I heard she sipped something and it was cluttered. Maybe she was having a drink with a porcelain cup.

“Yes my queen! You’ll never regret choosing her. I will tell her to visit you sooner.” My mother responded delightedly.

I doubt that. Did the real Nemiah agree to this? But knowing how her mother is trying to control her, I guess she didn’t have a choice. I may don’t have any magic but my God is supremely more powerful than them, so I don't have to worry. I will save this girl from their wicked plans.

It became quiet outside. The woman who was called queen by my mother might have left already. I heard footsteps approaching the door and the keys jingled. Someone was trying to unlock the door so I crawled back near the tiger which was still sleeping. The door creaked open and my witch mother came in with a tray of bread and a cup of drink. She looked frigid though she was smiling. She laid the tray on the shabby bedside table and knelt on the floor. She reached her hand to touch my face but I tried to avoid it. What’s with her now?

“You probably heard what queen Dubheasa said about your marriage. You better not disappoint her or both of us will be killed. I know this may seem unfair, but we have to obey her so we can live.” She explained calmly, then she took a deep breath. “But I’ll give you a chance to run away. The spell I’ve put in this room is the best talisman I’ve got. If you’ll be able to destroy it, then I’ll set you free. I don’t know why you hid your powers from me, but knowing that you can now protect yourself, you might have a chance to get away from Dubheasa’s curse.” She smiled bitterly.

My heart relented as I watched her sincere eyes. I actually didn’t have any powers, I’m not sure if the real Nemiah has though. But it seemed that this old woman was also under the threat of that queen. Was that the reason why she’s pressuring her daughter? That witch is really getting on my nerves. I was starting to understand the burden this old woman has. Maybe she also doesn’t want her daughter to suffer but she didn’t have a choice because that witch seemed more powerful over her.

I guess I am not just going to save this girl, I am going to save her mother too from that wicked witch. This woman may be a witch, but I can still sense kindness from her heart and I know that anyone can change no matter how wicked they have become. She still got a chance, I’m confident about it.