Chapter Twenty
A Child's Plea

Samantha, like the rest of the witches did not miss the implication of Cathleen's words. “Jenna, what's wrong with Rick?”

“Her mate is dying of a mortal illness called cancer”, Cassandra answered for her

“Oh no Jenna, I thought he was in remission.”

Jenna stepped forward. “He was, but it came back and this time treatment’s not an option. They're saying six months, possibly a year, which is one of the reasons we opened the toy store. He wanted to be around kids and share a little joy for as long as we could.”

Samantha went to her friend and hugged her as the Council was visibly touched by the tragedy.

Cathleen whispered in Beckys’s ear which made the older ask the younger if she was sure. When she nodded, Becky entered the plea from both of them.

“Miss Queen ma’am, you said if they was any thing we wanted we should ask and not be afraid. Well…me and Cathleen want something.”

She paused for a moment and then seeing a look of encouragement from Tichiba continued. “We want you to use a magic spell or a potion or something and make Uncle Rick not sick no more and …we will even give back our magic spell and be bigs again and…and we won't cry or ever ask to be littles no more. We promise! So please…please we don't want Uncle Rick to die.”

Cathleen latched on to Tichiba and let a hug speak for her.

Every heart was touched by the girl’s selfless plea and none more than Tichiba as she wiped a tear from her eye when she broke the embrace.

Rather than answer the girl’s plea directly, she gathered herself and called Jenna. “Daughter of the House of Stewart, stand before the Queen and Council.”