Chapter Fourteen
Lilypads and Patience

Samantha's demeanor changed to match the Queen’s. “Jenna is my friend and if you're talking about Rebecca Anne’s marriage to a mortal then that makes me a renegade anarchist, first generation.”

“Now Samantha”, Tichiba softened her tone. “You’re different. We still have faith you will come to your senses and leave this ummm…what was his name? Darius?”

“Dagwood”, Endora incorrectly corrected her.

Samantha sighed, “It’s Darrin, and I love him just as Rebecca Anne loved her man and if that means you strip me of my powers so be it, but what you did to Jenna and the rest of Rebecca’s descendants was cruel and well… makes me ashamed to call myself a witch.”

Endora gasped and the Council glared at Samantha as another blast of thunder rocked the living room. Even Tichiba’s patience was strained.

“Samantha”, the Queen gave her a stern look. “We have sent witches and warlocks home on lilypads for such comments, but…we shall attribute such an outburst to your prolonged contact with mortals: however, our patience has limits.”

She then turned her attention to Jenna and the girls. “If you are here to address this council you will be given a chance to make a statement but choose thy words carefully when you do.”

Jenna nodded as the girls clung to her like limpets. As Tichiba turned her attention back to Samantha, her voice softened, “Now dear, tell us what has upset you so?”

Samantha hesitated before answering, She smiled reassuringly at Jenna and the girls and then at her mother before starting, when she did, she addressed both Queen and Council. “Ever since I was a little girl, I looked up to each of you. I admired you. I respected you. I trusted you and well… for the most part obeyed you and even when I disagreed with you, I knew you did what you did because you believed it was in the best interest of us all.”

Tichiba raised an eyebrow, “And has that changed somehow?”

Samantha sighed, “Honestly, I don’t know what to think, but I do know that Jenna wears a locket that bears this Council’s seal and she doesn't deserve the curse it carries from a choice Rebecca Anne Stewart made three hundred years ago. I know the story in The Book is incomplete and inaccurate but what I don't know is…why?”

Hagatha shook her head as she looked at the Queen. “I always knew this day would come. Sooner or later someone was bound to ask questions.”