Rhaego turned fully toward her, violet-slit eyes blinking in mild confusion.
"Princess?" he asked again, voice careful and even.
His tail gave one slow, uncertain flick behind him, the spade tip brushing lightly against the marble.
Arianne's smile deepened, slow and knowing. She let the silence stretch just long enough to watch him shift his weight. Most men would have leaned into her obvious interest.
This one looked like he wanted to take half a step back.
"I was only admiring you," she said, voice low and honeyed.
"You carry power most men can only dream of, yet you stand here as if you fear you might break something fragile."
She tilted her head, dark curls brushing her bare shoulder.
"Tell me, do all dragons worry so much about being gentle?"
Rhaego's ears warmed beneath his silver hair. He glanced away toward the reflecting pool, watching the colored fish dart instead of meeting her eyes.
She's playing, he thought. Testing. Like a cat with something new and shiny.
The realization made his stomach tighten in a way that had nothing to do with desire and everything to do with discomfort.
"I've broken enough things by accident," he answered quietly and honest.
"I'd rather not add a Dornish princess to that list."
Arianne gave a soft laugh, genuinely amused. She stepped closer, not enough to touch, but close enough that the scent of her orange blossom perfume reached him.
"How very considerate," she murmured.
"Most men in your position would already be trying to impress me. Or at least flirt a little."
Her gaze flicked deliberately to his exposed shoulder and the dark scales running down his spine.
"Yet you act as though my attention burns you."
Rhaego swallowed. For a moment, he felt an instinctive recoil, a part of him uneasy at the intensity of her gaze, at being desired so openly and so suddenly.
He folded his arms loosely across his chest, hiding some of the scales.
"I'm not most men," he said, keeping his tone polite but distant.
"And I didn't accidentally come to Dorne looking for… admiration." He offered her a small, awkward smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Only a safe place to rest my wings for a while. Your father has been kind. I don't wish to repay that kindness by causing trouble."
Arianne studied him for a long moment. The boy.. no, the man was genuinely trying to deflect her. It was rare enough to be fascinating.
Most would have already tried to touch her waist or drop a clever line. This dragon prince was doing the opposite.
She reached out slowly and brushed one finger along the edge of his sleeve, not quite touching skin.
"And if I said I enjoy a little trouble?" she asked, voice teasing but soft.
Rhaego's tail curled tightly. He took one careful step back, creating space between them again.
"Then I would say… I'm still learning how not to burn everything I touch, Princess," he replied gently.
"Perhaps it's better if we keep walking?"
For the first time, Arianne felt a flicker of genuine surprise. Not rejection exactly, more like a door politely closed before she could even knock.
It only made her more curious.
She withdrew her hand with a graceful shrug, though her dark eyes sparkled with new interest.
"As you wish, my cautious dragon," she said lightly.
Rhaego exhaled quietly in relief as he fell into step beside her. His tail relaxed a fraction, though he kept it carefully tucked closer to his body now.
Yeah… she's dangerous, he thought. Beautiful, clever… and far too good at reading people.
Yet even as the warning rang in his mind, he couldn't help glancing sideways at her at the confident sway of her hips, the sharp intelligence in her smile.
He just hoped he could navigate this garden without stepping on any hidden vipers.
They continued down the shaded path. After a few moments of silence, Arianne spoke again, her tone lighter and gentler.
"I apologize if I stare," she said, her voice lighter now, less teasing than before.
"It is not every day one meets a dragon in the flesh. And you… you are quite striking, Prince Rhaego. Even with all of this."
She gestured lightly at his tail and the faint outline of his scales beneath his tunic. "Most men would look grotesque with such changes. You do not."
Rhaego blinked, clearly surprised. His tail flicked once behind him before he stilled it.
"Most people flinch when they see the tail. Or the scales." he asked quietly, almost hesitant. There was real relief in his voice, mixed with disbelief.
Arianne gave a small, honest smile.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't wary," she admitted.
"You are something out of the old songs. Dangerous. Powerful." Her gaze lingered for a second on the sharp tip of his tail.
"But no… I am not afraid of you. Not yet, at least."
She stepped a little closer, but kept a respectful distance, close enough to talk comfortably, not close enough to crowd him.
"May I ask something?" she said gently.
"Does it bother you when people stare? Or when they treat you like… something unnatural?"
Rhaego looked down at the reflecting pool, watching the ripples his clawed fingers had made earlier. For a moment his shoulders relaxed just a fraction.
"It does," he confessed.
"I still don't feel… right in this body. Every day is strange. People either want to worship the dragon or run from it." He gave a small, self-deprecating smile.
"I'm still trying to figure out which is worse."
Arianne's expression softened further. She tilted her head, studying him with new interest, not just as a political prize or an exotic creature, but as a person.
"Then I will try not to do either," she said quietly.
"I would rather know the man wearing the dragon scales… if he will let me."
Rhaego met her eyes for a long second. He could tell she was still curious the way her gaze kept drifting to his horns and tail gave that away, but there was no hunger or calculation in it right now.
Just genuine interest.
He nodded slowly.
"I'd like that, Princess," he said, voice warm but careful.
"Shall we keep walking?"
Arianne smiled, this time softer, more sincere.
"Lead the way this time, my dragon prince," she replied.
"I think I have asked enough questions for one afternoon."
Rhaego gave her a small nod of gratitude. The relief on his face was subtle, but clear. He turned and began walking down the shaded path, his tail swaying more calmly now.
Arianne fell into step beside him, keeping a comfortable distance.
They walked in companionable silence for a while. The golden light of late afternoon had softened into the warm hues of early evening. Lanterns were already being lit along the colonnades, casting gentle pools of light across the marble.
Eventually, Arianne spoke again, her voice gentle.
"You must be exhausted after everything you've been through. Washing ashore, meeting my father, enduring my endless questions…"
She smiled softly. "Come. I'll take you to your chambers. They've prepared the Sea Tower for you. It has a large balcony facing the sunset, perfect for a dragon who might want to stretch his wings in private."
Rhaego glanced at her, surprised by the thoughtfulness.
"Thank you," he said sincerely
Arianne led him through a series of elegant archways and up a wide, spiraling staircase made of pale sandstone. The Sea Tower was quiet and airy, with breezes flowing freely through open windows.
When they reached the heavy wooden door carved with leaping dolphins, she pushed it open herself.
The chamber was spacious and beautiful.
A large canopied bed draped in pale silks stood against one wall. Fresh fruit, wine, and a pitcher of water had been placed on a low table.
The wide balcony doors were already open, letting in the sound of waves crashing far below and the cool evening air.
Arianne stepped inside only far enough to gesture around the room.
"These are your chambers for as long as you wish to stay. No guards will disturb you unless you call for them. If you need anything like food, clothes, or simply someone to talk to… you can send for me."
She paused, then added with a small, sincere smile, "Or for me directly, if you prefer."
Rhaego stood near the center of the room, taking it all in. His shoulders finally dropped, the tension of the day easing.
"This is… more than I expected," he admitted. "Thank you, Princess Arianne. Truly."
She studied him for a moment, her dark eyes warm but no longer pushing.
"Rest well, my dragon prince," she said softly.
"You've flown far and survived much. Dorne can wait one night before asking more of you."
For a brief second, she looked like she wanted to say something more, perhaps tease him again or step closer but she held herself back.
Instead, she gave him one last gentle smile and turned toward the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Prince Rhaego."
She paused at the threshold, glancing back over her shoulder.
"And if you do decide to fly from that balcony tonight… try not to scare the fishermen."
With that, she left, the soft click of the door echoing behind her.
Rhaego let out a long, tired breath once he was alone.
He walked out onto the balcony, letting the cool evening sea breeze wash over him. For a while he just breathed, trying to calm the whirlwind in his head.
His thoughts drifted far away, all the way back to Meereen.
What's happening there right now? he wondered.
Are the Sons of the Harpy still attacking? Has Mother managed to stabilize the city?
Worry gnawed at him.
He hated that he had been separated from her like this. After everything they had been through together, being washed ashore in Dorne felt like another cruel twist of fate. He hoped Doran had already sent word.
He hoped his mother knew he was alive and safe.
I hope she knows I'm okay… he thought, gripping the stone railing.
I didn't mean to disappear like this, Mother…
The anxiety sat heavy in his chest, but the beautiful quiet of the Water Gardens slowly eased some of the tension. For the first time since he woke up on that Dornish beach, he allowed himself a small, tired smile.
At least he was in one piece. At least he had landed in the hands of potential allies instead of enemies.
Rhaego looked up at the darkening sky, the first stars beginning to appear.
"I'll find my way back to you," he whispered. "Just wait for me a little longer."