Free The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney Page A

that bound her mother and stepfather. Instead, marriage had put her in a cage as surely as the gilded bars that held her now. Chiding herself for an overactive imagination, she returned to Ivanhoe. Poetry made her think too much.
    The next morning began much the same way, except this time Gavin wasn't surprised to see that Alex was gone. When he and Suryo reached the arena she was waiting in the shade of the pavilion, her glossy dark hair styled differently and wearing a new selendang. More relaxed than the day before, she gave him a private smile.
    Gavin returned the smile before casting the die again. This time when it tumbled to a halt, Sheng Yu announced, "Fighting the dragon."
    Gavin frowned. "What does that mean?"
    "The dragon is a beast from Komodo Island, called the ora there," Kasan explained. "For centuries, they've been bred on Maduri for their fighting ability. You must enter the ring with the largest of my dragons and steal the jewel of the sea from around its neck, armed only with a kris." Jewel of the sea? Wondering if this was a bad dream, Gavin said, "Bring on the dragon, Your Highness."
    Tea was served while the dragon was summoned and a fenced enclosure about thirty feet in diameter was assembled in the middle of the arena. Drums announced the entry of the dragon, which was roped between four large men who struggled to control their thrashing charge. Gavin almost spilled his tea when he saw the beast. It was a giant lizard, easily ten feet long and weighing more than he did. Ugly, too, with a dark, scarred hide that looked like woven metal, and a foot-long yellow tongue that darted out as the heavy head swung from side to side. A giant, irregular pearl hung around its neck from a leather thong. Gavin didn't envy the man who had tied it in place.
    "I've heard of the ora," Alex said under her breath. "Don't let it bite you. I don't think it's actually poisonous, but the mouth is so filthy that any creature bitten dies of infection within days."
    "I'll do my best to avoid bites," Gavin assured her. "Does the blasted beast breathe fire?" She smiled without humor. "Not that I know of."
    "I must be grateful for small blessings." Gavin rose and set aside his tea. Despite the heat, he kept his coat on. The good worsted wool might offer some protection.
    The dragon wranglers got their charge into the enclosure, carefully coordinating the release of ropes so they could bolt for safety at the same time. One man was knocked down, and dragged hastily from the ring by his fellows before the dragon could grab him.
    With all in readiness, Kasan presented Gavin with a kris in its scabbard. "Wield this well, Captain." The wavy-bladed dagger and scabbard were beautifully wrought. More important, the blade was razor sharp. As Gavin belted the weapon around his waist, he asked, "What if I kill the dragon defending myself?"
    "Don't," Kasan advised. "The ora is traditionally considered sacred. Killing one would bring great misfortune."
    Wonderful. Once more, drums rumbled as he crossed to the fenced enclosure. The attendants opened a small gate, and Gavin entered, dagger in hand. The dragon waited, still as carved stone except for the cold glitter of its hooded eyes. It looked ... hungry.
    "You have the advantage over me, Sir Dragon," Gavin said. "I can't kill you, but I'll bet you don't feet the same way about me."
    The forked yellow tongue flickered, and the beast gave a short, evil hiss that raised the hair on Gavin's neck. "If you hold still and let me cut off the pearl, this will go easier for both of us." Moving with shattering suddenness, the dragon whipped its massive tail around, knocking Gavin to the ground. He caught a nightmare glimpse of long, curved teeth, and rolled away barely in time to save his throat from being ripped out.
    Not daring to stop, he leaped to his feet and retreated, gasping to recover the breath that had been knocked from his lungs. "You're fast, but your aim needs improving. Thank God." The dragon