Free The Bartered Bride by Mary Jo Putney Page B

became immobile again. Gavin edged to his left in a way he hoped wouldn't look menacing. Reptiles tended to be less active than warm-blooded creatures. He'd seen men approach crocodiles slowly without provoking an attack, and with luck that would work here. He was within a yard when the dragon exploded into action again, this time slashing with its vicious hooked claws. Gavin dodged back, but the dragon ripped through his right sleeve and pain blazed along his forearm. He hoped those wicked claws weren't as filthy as the teeth. The dragon swung its head sideways and lunged at Gavin. Trapped against the fence, he saw no choice but to leap onto the beast's horny back. As it pitched and hissed furiously, he flattened himself on the long spine, clinging to the torso with his knees and locking his arms around the thick neck. Like riding a tiger, he was in a precarious position, but out of range of the lethal fangs. After a couple of minutes of frenzy, the baffled dragon suddenly stopped, uncertain how to rid itself of its unwanted burden. Gavin took advantage of the moment to slice the thong with the kris and grab the pearl with his left hand. Then he jumped off backwards, staying out of the dragon's sight. Panting, he flattened himself against the wall of the enclosure as he waited to see what, if anything, the beast would do. It hissed and clawed at the ground, but didn't turn to come after him. Scarcely daring to breath, Gavin inched around the ring toward the gate. As it swung open, the dragon spotted him and lashed its massive tail again. Prepared this time, Gavin leaped away and let it whip underneath. Grabbing a gate post, he swung onto the top of the gate, then jumped down outside. Breathing heavily, he sheathed the kris and crossed the arena to the sound of cheers. This show was much quicker and more dramatic than rock climbing had been. He reached the pavilion and bowed to the sultan, then offered the pearl in one hand and the scabbarded dagger in the other. "The jewel of the sea, Your Highness, and your splendid kris."
    "Keep the kris, Captain. You have earned it." Taking the pearl, Kasan turned and offered it to Alex.
    "As this jewel of the sea has been fairly won for your lady." She stared at the pearl, still on its thong, as if unsure what to do with it. Then she tucked it into the waist of her sarong and stepped forward, pulling off the selendang. "Your arm needs tending, Captain." Not waiting for a reply, she began wrapping the length of cloth, blue this time, around his right arm. Gavin became aware of how much the gash hurt. It was messy, too. His coat and shirt would never be the same. Speaking so only she could hear, he said, "Too many more challenges and I'll be an invalid." Though he'd meant it as a joke, she shuddered. "That's what I'm afraid of." Wishing he could retract his comment, he said, "Actually, my wardrobe is suffering more than I am. This isn't serious."
    Hearing that, Kasan said, "You didn't come to Maduri expecting a Singa Mainam. I shall have garments sent to your room."
    "Once more Your Highness is gracious."
    The sultan's eyes glinted wickedly. "Merely helping you accustom yourself to the Maduri way of life. You have done well so far, but three trials remain."
    Gavin was all too aware that he was less than halfway through the Lion Game. He never should have accepted the cargo that had brought him to Maduri. If he'd refused, he'd be well on his way to England by now.
    But he'd never have met Alex. As he watched her tie off the crude bandage, admiring the stubborn set of her jaw and the sparkle of her aqua eyes, he knew that the risks he was taking were worth it.

CHAPTER 8
    By the third morning of the Lion Game, Gavin was beginning to feel cautiously optimistic. The night before, he and Alex had spent a peaceful and oddly domestic evening, assuming one overlooked the bars between them. She'd started reading Scott's Rob Roy while he'd spent some time with his ledgers, then turned to calculating