"You agreed?"
"Of course." Arianne lifted her face, her black eyes shining. "I've waited a long time for this day. Father has finally acknowledged that I've grown up and can shoulder House Martell's responsibilities. As for you..."
She walked over to Viserys, sat on his lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I won't go to Valyria with you, at least not yet." She nibbled his ear as she spoke. "Valyria is those Targaryen women's territory. I'm not officially married to you yet. What would that make me if I went there? Someone competing with them for your affection?"
"I don't think they would..."
"I know they wouldn't."
Arianne cut him off. "But I'm afraid I would. I'm the heir to Dorne, a daughter of House Martell. I can accept Nymeria and the others because we're close. So I won't go to their territory before I marry you. Even afterward, I couldn't live with them forever. I'll stay in Dorne and wait for you to visit me now and then."
"In the meantime, I'll work hard to govern Dorne well and show you a Dornish woman worthy of a Targaryen dragon."
Viserys turned and kissed the corner of her lips.
"You'll be the finest Prince of Dorne," he said.
"Will you leave tomorrow?" Arianne asked at last.
"Yes."
Arianne nodded. "Then let me spend tonight with you. Just the two of us."
After dinner, they returned to Viserys's guest chamber. That night, Arianne was especially eager, as though she wanted to make up for their coming separation, however long it might last, in a single night.
Even as dawn approached, she had not fallen asleep. Her face was buried against Viserys's chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. They lay together like that, savoring the lingering pleasure.
They