Page 24 of A Bear in a Birdbath

The Queen finally snapped her fingers to the gargoyle, who lumbered forward and bowed to her. He had stone wings at his back that looked functional, and carved fur that kept his naked lower half company-respectable. His beast-like face was framed in large ears and wicked claws flexed on his dexterous hands. “I will champion you,” he hissed in a guttural voice.

“See that you do,” she said, turning back to Margo. “This place will serve as a battlefield. Choose your weapon.” She gestured to a rack of sharp spears and curved swords.

“I choose riddles,” Margo said firmly.

There was silence in the court and all of the amusement faded from the Queen’s face. “What do you mean?”

Margo picked her words with extraordinary care. “I choose a battle of cleverness. Faery prides itself on playing fair and swears by the Code. Prove it.”

“You want to make it a battle of wits? With me?”

“Not you, your majesty. Your champion.”

The audience murmured in interest. The gargoyle had clearly been chosen for his physical prowess, and Margo’s brute strength had been her most obvious bid for championship. In a battle of might, either of one of them might prevail.

“And who do you suggest will mediate this duel of riddles?” The Queen’s disgust was as clear as her doubt of Margo’s intelligence.

Margo had already considered this question. “I propose a jury of peers. Let a panel of your subjects choose the winner.”

“Do you believe you would receive impartiality from people who call me their queen?”

“Will you command it from them?” Margo countered.

The court was absolutely silent and for a moment, Margo feared that her gambit would fail before it began.

“One more thing,” Margo said. “No magical influence. No spells or enchantments or illusions. Make it a fair battle.”

There was a flicker in the Queen’s eyes, just a hint of something behind her icy gaze. Margo wouldn’t have recognized it if she didn’t know her own stony face so well. Was she angry that Margo had imposed a handicap…or did she regret her treatment of Eva?

“No magical influence,” the Queen agreed quietly. She loftily added, “I won’t need it.”

“Wait!” the gargoyle growled, chilling Margo’s swell of hope. “No riddles requiring obscure human knowledge. It should be an honest contest.”

“An honest match,” Margo agreed. “The committee shall determine if a riddle is unfair.”

“I look forward to a good challenge,” the gargoyle said, his stone face curving up into a smile.

Margo didn’t like the glint in his eyes, and she found herself wondering if she’d just made a terrible mistake.

21

EVA

Eva wished she could warn Margo about the flaw in her plan, or speak to her mates at all, but the chain at her ankle silenced her lips as well as keeping her clasped at the Queen’s side. She could only fume on the inside, and despair. It was probably just as well. She was likely to blubber. They had come to save her, and Eva was full of embarrassing tender feelings.

“It will take some time to put together this jury,” the Queen said.

“The Code allows three days to prepare for any duel,” Margo said, nodding. “Either contestant can request it.”

“You know our Faery Code?” the Queen said suspiciously.

“It’s online,” Margo said briefly. “Filed at knowyourcodes.org with the legal edicts of seven hundred states and countries. I brushed up after you kidnapped my mate.”

“I don’t need three days.” The Queen made a dismissive gesture. “We can convene in an hour.”

“I do not object to this,” Margo said, with equal coolness.

Eva felt her heart soften. Margo was so clever and capable, and so brave to come to try to save her. How could she not love the woman? Bruno was exciting and sexy, and Margo was comfortable and compelling, and together they were the best mates anyone might ask for.

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