"Do you really think I'd believe such flowery nonsense?" Tyrion tried to push Arianne away. "I'll summon the Gold Cloaks this instant and have you all arrested. You won't escape from here."
Before he could finish, he sprang to his feet, only to be pulled back by Arianne.
"No, Tyrion, we're telling the truth." The woman pressed her face against his back, feeling his heartbeat. "You are of House Targaryen. Dragon blood runs through your veins, and we hold the secrets of dragons. What we truly need is your strength, your wisdom, and your loyalty."
"The dragons aren't yours," Tyrion said firmly. "The Red Viper's words are lies. Whether I'm a dragon or a lion, I won't go to Dorne with you."
"Your heart is beating so fast." Arianne lifted her head. "You're not sure whether what my uncle said is true, are you?"
"Who cares if it's true?" Tyrion took a deep breath and turned to face her. "You're far too bold to reveal your cards like this. This wasn't the work of cautious Prince Doran. It reeks of your uncle's reckless impulsiveness."
"Don't look at me like I'm a fool." Arianne shook her head lightly.
"But you're doing something foolish now."
"Let me go back, my lion," Arianne said. "Let us be lovers. I'll help you in Dorne."
"So you want me to let you go?" Tyrion asked. "Why would I do that? I'm not short of lovers."
"Gods, I thought you loved me." Arianne struck him with her fist, though not hard. "But what if it were an alliance instead?"
Tyrion turned and stared into her eyes, trying to discern whether she was lying. "You mean to betray your father?"
"It's not betrayal," Arianne said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I wouldn't harm him, nor would I betray Dorne... I only wish I were a man. A man like you."
"You want to use my support to take Sunspear." Tyrion saw through her easily. "At least you've been honest about wanting to share power with me. That's more straightforward than empty lies. But it doesn't matter. You can stay and become part of House Lannister. I'm sure my father and I would gladly make you Regent Princess of Dorne, to rule the land in name."
"I trust in your confidence, but I'm afraid your father, Great Lord Tywin Lannister, will never live to see that day." Arianne's tone was almost indulgent. "My uncle poisoned your father."
What? Tyrion's heart jolted as if struck by lightning. His thoughts raced, recalling his father's recent behavior.
"You haven't noticed anything, have you?" Arianne's voice carried a mocking lilt. She covered her mouth, laughing softly like a viper ready to strike. "He still looks the same, doesn't he? But that's just before the poison takes full effect. Oberyn's venom isn't easily detected. It seeps in slowly, silently eating away at one's life until there's no turning back."
"Constipation." Tyrion's face darkened further. "But how did he do it... The eunuch? The Spider?"
Arianne smiled. "Let me go back, and I'll bring you the antidote. It's the only way now, isn't it?"
"Damn it," Tyrion cursed inwardly, berating himself for letting Littlefinger's schemes distract him from Varys, the far greater threat. The sudden shift in events left him off balance—Varys's betrayal had come too soon. "I'll find the Red Viper myself and have him tortured."
"You'll torture him? Don't be naive. You won't even catch him. And even if you did, do you think your petty tricks could make him talk? My uncle's pride and resilience are beyond your imagination." Arianne shook her head slowly, her tone laced with mockery. "Besides, you have no proof. Would you act on nothing but my words?"
Tyrion's eyes went cold, a cruel smile curling at his lips. "You're trying to blackmail me? If I tortured you in front of Oberyn, what do you think he'd do? Wouldn't he hand over the antidote to save you?"
"Gods," Arianne gasped, stepping back in shock. "Are you a demon? No wonder Uncle calls you the Lust Demon."
"I'm serious."
"I'll help you get the name of the poison—or its formula, or the antidote," Arianne said solemnly. "As the foundation of our alliance. I mean it."
"What will Prince Doran think when he learns of this?"
"The poisoning wasn't my father's doing. My uncle acted on his own."
"For justice, then? The Red Viper's justice is a bitter thing to swallow."
"I was a foolish, reckless girl," Arianne said, beginning to unbutton her blouse. "Playing the game of thrones like a drunk rolling dice. My father always believed we were his pawns. But he doesn't realize—pawns have no minds, and people do."
"Princess, I'm not in the mood..."
"No, you have to stay sharp." She wrapped her arms around Tyrion's neck, her breath hot against his face. "An alliance built only on benefit isn't a true alliance."
"A solid alliance can't rely solely on profit and vows. There's another way..."
An alliance based only on interest is not a true one. The thought of the Queen of Thorns made Tyrion's stomach churn.
With a dizzying whirl, the Princess of Dorne pushed him back onto the carpet.
"If you truly agree to return to Dorne with us, then we can't be friends," Arianne said, towering above him like a queen.
"Why not?"
"Because it would mean you're a fool—brainless and gutless." She grinned. "Are you a family man, Tyrion? I can't imagine you being loyal."
"What do you mean?"
"If we had a child, would that make you more loyal to me?"
What was loyalty, truly? Interest, vows, or blood?
"And you?" Tyrion countered. "Would you care more about yourself, the child, or the child's father?"
"I don't know," Arianne said softly. "I only know that tonight, I'm not riding a lion. I'm riding a dragon."