Hey guys, thank you all so much for taking the time to review! A special thank you to Almondblossomme for helping me with the new translation this chapter. Also, visit my Tumblr or Twitter to see Felicity's dress featured in the last scene. It's our first week of hiatus, so I hope this helps!
Chapter 14: The Return
"Sorry about the mess," Felicity apologized to Sara. She was spread out on the floor of her friend's room, surrounded by technical parts and snack wrappers. Considering how long it had been since she'd had food from the modern world, Felicity probably should've paced herself. Ingesting so much junk food had given her a sugar high, which was great for speeding along her work but would be terrible when she crashed later.
It had taken Nyssa a week to acquire what Felicity would need to build a device that could discretely pirate the Wi-Fi signal coming from the war room. Since Ra's had returned, it was impossible for Felicity to sneak in there now and check up on her surveillance of Armitage. She needed her own private access that would ensure they wouldn't get caught. At Sara's request, Felicity had given her friend a list of parts, supplies, and tools she would need. Continuing to pilfer from Al Hassoub's stash of tech was also not the best idea; they couldn't chance him noticing anything missing and reporting it to either Al Sah-him or Ra's.
Sara had then given the list to Nyssa, who had volunteered for a mission outside of the compound. She had gotten everything Felicity needed, including the chips and chocolate the blonde had been desperately craving. If she thought Nyssa could sneak her a Big Belly Burger meal without it spoiling or looking suspicious, Felicity would've asked for that, too.
"Pass me a Hershey bar and all is forgiven," Sara teased.
Felicity playfully rolled her eyes, huffing in exaggeration, and tossed the bar to the blonde. "You're lucky I like you."
"That food is garbage," Nyssa commented.
"Who doesn't love chocolate?" Felicity replied, aghast.
"Sweetness is not sustenance."
"If it's that time of the month it is," Sara joked and nudged her girlfriend.
Nyssa's eyes softened. She stroked Sara's cheek before turning back to Felicity. "What is the status of your progress?"
Felicity referred to the program on her shiny new tablet. The tech thrummed in her small, eager hands. Maybe it was the sugar again but holding onto it was like pure euphoria. "I'm nearly done. I've got a few more circuits to build before I test it, though."
"Has your husband questioned your whereabouts? He will get suspicious if you keep refusing your guards and only spending time with Sara," the brunette commented.
"Ever since your father's return, he's been busy with either League business or training Tommy. So he's gone most of the day," Felicity explained. She still couldn't believe they'd been caught making out like a pair of horny teenagers by Ra's and the others on the training mats. Any time she ran into Sarab or one of the other advisors, she couldn't help blushing to her roots. Luckily, she didn't have much contact with Ra's himself. That was for the best.
Unfortunately, Al Sah-him seemed more stressed now that the Demon's Head was back. He wouldn't admit it to her, but Felicity noticed the constant tension in his body. A part of her also wondered if her father's impending visit was weighing on him. It was certainly weighing on her, especially since it was only a little over a week away. Felicity wasn't sure how she should feel. Despite the unexpected connection she'd forged with Al Sah-him and the others, she was still angry with her father for using her as some kind of bargaining chip and forcing her into a situation against her consent. Felicity didn't think she'd ever be able to forgive him—not that she expected him to ask for forgiveness anyway.
A knock suddenly sounded on the door, pulling Felicity from her troubled thoughts. The three women sat at attention.
"Who is it?" Sara called.
"Al Sah-him. Is Felicity in there with you?"
"Frack," Felicity mouthed as she and Nyssa rushed to shove all of the equipment and spare parts under Sara's bed. The loss of the tablet was most acute, but she reminded herself she'd be able to continue her work again soon.
"Sara, is everything okay?" he questioned suspiciously.
"Yes. Sorry, one sec." Her brow was scrunched in concentration. "Felicity and Nyssa were helping me pick out an outfit for Eid Al Ta'sees. I'm just changing."
Sara went to her dresser and yanked out a bundle of clothes, which she proceeded to scatter across her bed to make the story more believable. With one more cursory glance to ensure the tech was all hidden, Felicity nodded for Sara to open the door. Nyssa retook her seat in a chair by the window, seemingly unbothered by the intrusion.
Al Sah-him took in the state of the room and frowned questioningly at the empty wrappers. "Is there a food cache I'm unaware of?"
"Oh, uh, I asked Nyssa to bring me back some goodies from her mission," Felicity explained and shrugged innocently. "I miss modern junk food. Want some Cheetos?" She held out the bag in offering.
It looked like Al Sah-him was fighting back a grin. "No, thank you."
"Right, of course," she mumbled. "You don't eat junk food. I mean, how else do you keep that eight-pack?" Felicity's cheeks warmed. "Besides all the working out and doing the salmon ladder, I mean." She shouldn't be embarrassed, since Sara and Nyssa had seen him shirtless training plenty of times. They could see how fit Al Sah-him was for themselves. But it still somehow came out sounding like an intimate observation, especially since Sara was smirking.
"I wouldn't mind some Cheetos. But Ra's has requested we dine with him tonight. I wouldn't want to spoil my dinner."
The announcement set Felicity on edge. "Why are we dining with Ra's?"
"He wants to go over some details before Eid Al Ta'sees. Tommy and Nyssa will be joining, as well."
Nyssa didn't look all that pleased by this development either. However, she was still better at hiding the extent of her emotions.
"What about me?" Sara questioned.
With a minute shake of his head, Al Sah-him reluctantly informed her, "Just the four of us, though Sarab will be there, too. Part of what we're discussing involves Armitage." His expression was apologetic.
"He wants to move forward with the deal, doesn't he?" she assumed.
"I'm sorry. I honestly didn't think Ra's would agree to it."
Felicity looked to her friend, concerned. This was an added complication in their plan to take out Armitage, though it wasn't that much of a surprise.
Sara turned her back on them all and faced the wall. Nyssa was by her side in an instant, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I understand," the blonde stoically replied. "I suppose it's good I ate all that chocolate just now. No need for dinner, since I'm full anyway."
"Beloved—" Nyssa began.
"You should all go. Don't want to be late."
"What about you?" Felicity inquired, staying by her friend's side.
"I should get another training session in. It's been a while since I've schooled the new recruits." Sara looked to Felicity and gave her an encouraging nod. It was a blow to find out Ra's wanted to ally with Armitage, but that's exactly why they'd set their plan into motion. They would get the bastard one way or another.
"I shall be along shortly," Nyssa told them, still eyeing Sara. She would not let her girlfriend dismiss her so easily.
Felicity left with Al Sah-him to give them some privacy. She looped her arm through his and sighed softly while keeping her stare ahead.
"You're upset," he observed.
She kept her voice low. "Allying with Armitage is a mistake."
"I strongly opposed it, shamsi, but there is no talking Ra's out of something once his mind is set."
"You're his heir. Does he listen to you at all?" Felicity didn't mean it unkindly.
The dynamic between Ra's and Al Sah-him was complex. Even after months of living in the League and observing them, Felicity still failed to fully grasp the nature of Al Sah-him's apprenticeship with Ra's. The older man respected Al Sah-him, that much was clear, but there remained a competitive edge. Ra's never let her husband or anyone else forget that he was the Demon's Head and his word was law. Maybe that was why her husband had been so tense all week. Had he been battling his master and mentor over this?
"Sometimes, yes. But he decided that the influence Armitage wields could prove useful for the League in the future."
"Would now be a bad time to tell you that I'm really not hungry?" Felicity muttered. This news made her all the more eager to move forward with their plan. She longed to return to Sara's room and finish her device.
Al Sah-him comfortingly patted her hand as they continued their way toward the dining room.
There was another detail she was curious about. "Why is Tommy joining us?"
"There is some news of Merlyn. Ra's would like to get Tommy's input."
"That doesn't require dinner," she pointed out.
Al Sah-him nodded toward a young group of warriors that passed. They were his newest recruits, she recognized. Sometimes he or Nyssa would make Tommy train with them, in addition to his private instruction. They bowed to her, as well, in passing.
"It's more civilized."
Felicity almost snorted at that but held her tongue.
"You should know that Ra's also asked to see how Tommy's training has progressed. He requested a demonstration today."
The tightness in his voice formed knots in her stomach. She sensed another blow coming. "Is he okay?"
"He did well for the stage he is at, but he took a beating." He held her gaze and squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to be alarmed when you see the bruises. I promise they look worse than they are."
Felicity pressed her lips together, not trusting her voice. Tommy was strong and clever but underneath all of that bluster, he was a gentle soul. It pained Felicity just thinking about how Ra's was determined to purge him of it as a means of revenge. What other trials would her friend have to face as his training progressed?
"Felicity," Al Sah-him said as they stopped just outside the door to the dining room. He lifted her chin and searched her eyes.
It was impossible for Felicity to hide her displeasure, and she really didn't want to anyway. "I won't say anything," she replied, seeing the silent question and concern in his stare. "But let the record show, I think it sucks."
"Fair enough," he acknowledged and stroked the underside of her jaw. "By the way, don't serve yourself the food. Some of the dishes have nuts, so I've asked Sahar to bring us our meals separate."
Felicity's expression softened at that. Al Sah-him was always very aware of her food allergy, and she knew from Sahar that he'd nearly threatened the kitchen staff early on about being careful. He'd also given up the same foods now that they were together. There was one dish he really loved that had nuts, and Felicity had told him to have it if he wanted. They would only need to wait several hours before kissing, to which Al Sah-him boldly (and quite sexily) refused before declaring that her lips were the delicacy he preferred.
She stood on her tiptoes and grazed his mouth with her own. "I'm still mad about this entire situation, but you're really cute."
Al Sah-him chuckled. "I can't remember the last time anyone has called me cute. Scary and demanding sure…"
"Really? Wherever did that come from?" Felicity teased, smirking. "I know for a fact that underneath that hard, growly, hunky exterior"—she enticingly ran her hands up and down his chest—"you are all gooey inside."
He leaned in, the heat from his massive body seeping into her, and lightly nipped at her lips. "Is that so?"
Her head bobbed, causing their noses to brush. "Mm hmm…" They'd barely started to kiss when they were interrupted.
"Well, you two look starved. Are we getting dinner and a show?" Tommy kidded with a wide, amused grin.
Felicity might've laughed or uttered a witty retort if she wasn't immediately struck by the bruises Al Sah-him had warned her about. Barely managing to suppress a gasp, she observed her friend. Tommy had a black eye, another discolored patch along his jaw, and a split lip.
Seeing her distress, Tommy added, "It looks worse than it is."
Her eyes cut to Al Sah-him, who at least had the decency to look contrite, as her smile quickly transformed into a disapproving frown. "So I've heard."
"Let us get this over with," Nyssa said from behind him. Felicity was comforted by the fact that she wasn't the only one still fuming. The brunette's entire body gave off an aura of malcontent.
Felicity grumbled, "I was perfectly happy with my Cheetos and chocolate."
Tommy snapped to attention. "What? You have a secret food stash and haven't told me?" He seemed more offended by that than the beating he took. "I swear I'll do anything for a Milky Way."
Felicity was about to respond when Al Sah-him cleared his throat in interruption. "Later," he warned and reiterated that they needed to get it together. Nobody said anything else, although Tommy made a silent gesture to Felicity that clearly indicated they would be continuing their conversation afterward.
The group entered the dining room but didn't get far. Felicity stopped short just a few steps, causing Tommy to crash into her from behind. Al Sah-him steadied her and glared at Tommy. Felicity didn't bother to turn and say anything, as her attention was completely on the young brunette already sitting at the table.
"What is she doing here?" Felicity demanded upon seeing Talia.
"Good question," Al Sah-him muttered. Apparently, he wasn't expecting this either.
"Sister," Nyssa acknowledged. "I thought you were still carrying out your punishment."
"I am," Talia replied, sounding calm and unconcerned. "Father granted me a reprieve for the evening, so that I could join you for dinner."
There was complete silence for a few minutes as they all processed this new development. Felicity instinctively reached out to Al Sah-him, who gripped her right back. The ease of their interaction minutes ago was once again replaced by tension.
"You may take your seats," said a deep, authoritative voice from behind them. Ra's stood tall and regal with his hands behind his back. He wasn't wearing his long robe this evening and instead had on a fancy jacket.
Al Sah-him was the first to snap out of it and guided Felicity toward the table. They sat on Ra's right side, which also happened to be directly across from Talia. Sarab was next to her, with Nyssa taking the seat next to him. Tommy sunk down onto the seat next to Felicity. Ra's, naturally, claimed his seat at the head of the table with confidence.
"I can see the many questions you all have," Ra's began. "I asked Talia to join us, so that we may begin to mend the divide within our own family. Eid Al Ta'sees fast approaches, and it is important that we are united in front of the League and our new allies. Let this be the first step."
Felicity sat fuming in her seat, what little of her appetite that was left totally destroyed. She had not anticipated seeing Talia again before the Founding Day celebration. Although she'd physically healed and become more settled emotionally since her attack, the sight of its perpetrator brought back a wave of anxiety. Only when she felt Al Sah-him's hand loosen her fingers and interlace them with his own did she realize she'd been making a fist. Her palm hurt where her nails had dug into her flesh. Her husband kept his focus on Ra's while giving her an extra squeeze under the table for good measure.
With a snap of his fingers, Ra's signaled for their food to be served. Various piping hot serving trays were placed along the table. Afterward, Ra's ordered them to join hands in prayer. Felicity took Tommy's hand, which was clammy. He must be nervous, too. Ra's muttered the blessing quickly and quietly in Arabic before motioning for them all to dig in. Even when her own food arrived a moment later, Felicity did not reach for her fork. Instead, she sipped on her wine and focused on taking steadying breaths.
Talia barely looked in their direction. Her focus was on either her food or her father. Felicity didn't get the feeling she ignored them simply for spite. The spark of maliciousness she'd always seen in the young woman's eyes was gone. They were alert but indifferent. The blonde wondered if Talia's change in behavior was of her own accord or if she'd been warned by Ra's.
The discussion at the table began with preparations being made for Eid Al Ta'sees, which included security measures since some guests were not actual League members. Ra's mostly addressed Al Sah-him, Talia, and Sarab. Felicity glanced across the table at Nyssa. She ate quietly; the only sign of her irritation was in the way she stabbed at the meat in her plate. Tommy was barely eating at all. He'd found that some of the spicier dishes did not agree with him, and so he was picking at his food.
"Abad-eshams," Ra's abruptly addressed her, nearly making her jump in her seat. "Is your meal not to your liking? You are not eating."
She lightly cleared her throat. "I don't have much of an appetite tonight."
"Are you ill?"
Felicity briefly contemplated saying yes, wondering if it would allow her to be dismissed. But she doubted she'd get away with it. Without another word, she shook her head and took a tentative bite.
"I think I know the cause of it. There is no need to feel uneasy, Abad-eshams," Ra's knowingly stated. "I realize you and my daughter may not be on the best of terms. But I assure you the time in solitude has allowed her to contemplate the error of her ways. Like the rest of our people, she has accepted your place by Al Sah-him's side. There is no danger to fear."
"My father speaks the truth," Talia stated, giving Felicity her full attention for the first time that night. "I regret my actions the night you were brought to us and the unforeseen consequences they had. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." She looked at Al Sah-him then. "The both of you."
"And when I was abducted?" Felicity pressed.
Her tone was repentant yet firm. "As I said, I regret the consequences of my actions. I could not foresee how my own displeasure would spread throughout the League and influence others to act so shamefully."
Felicity felt her heartbeat spike and the blood pumping in her ears as the anger rose up within her. The truth did not lie in Talia's words but in what she did not say. She regretted her "actions" but not her hatred. The young brunette also still refused to take responsibility for Felicity's abduction and maintained that the attackers had acted on their own. That was all the proof she needed that this was nothing more than a farce.
"I accept your apology," came Al Sah-him's reply.
Felicity whipped her head in his direction and stared at him, stunned. "What?" She tried to drop his hand, but his hold only tightened. Al Sah-him turned to her, and their eyes locked. It was a battle of wills; he clearly wanted her to say the same while Felicity was ready to tell Talia to take her fake apology and go to hell.
"Shamsi," he whispered. It sounded like an order, but the edge she heard was beseeching. The message in his eyes was similar.
If anyone could understand her objection, it would be Nyssa. Felicity glanced over at her but was surprised to find the other brunette nod in compliance. She frowned trying to comprehend why the hell she was the only one clearly seeing through Talia's lie. Tommy—though he could not say anything—was tense beside her, and Sarab's expression was apathetic. When Felicity finally took in Ra's dark eyes, seeing the shrewd hardness boring into her, it clicked.
Once again, she remembered Nyssa's powerful words when speaking of her mother. She learned how to play the game. That's all this was, a game, and it was Felicity's move.
Swallowing the bile rising in her throat, Felicity finally met Talia's stare and forced out the lie, "I accept your apology, as well." The words of forgiveness tasted like ash in her mouth while Talia offered a grateful nod. Felicity could not resist adding, "Although it will not be as easy to forget."
Talia's lips pursed, the only indication that she'd been affected by the warning.
"Trust will take time to build. I'm sure you can understand," Al Sah-him smoothly elaborated.
Felicity remained tense but felt some relief hearing her husband reinforce their trepidation. It was the only indication that he wasn't blindly accepting Talia's sudden remorse.
"Excellent," Ra's finally spoke up. "Now that we can put this behind us, we have other matters to discuss." He took a bite of his lamb and chewed slowly. Then: "Al Tareq, are you familiar with Corto Maltese?"
Tommy coughed to clear his throat. It seemed Ra's sudden focus on him caused his food to get stuck mid-swallow. "I've heard of it."
Other than Corto Maltese being a small country in South America, rumored to be beautiful but plagued by corruption, Felicity wasn't that familiar with it either.
"Milo Armitage—have you heard of him?" His gaze flickered briefly to Felicity before boring into Tommy.
"Yes, he's one of the richest men in the world. But I don't know him personally. Just that he's a crook like my father."
Felicity pressed her napkin to her mouth to stifle a snicker. Tommy was not wrong about that. She also found it curious that Armitage was being mentioned in a conversation about Malcolm Merlyn. Armitage was H.I.V.E., and so she couldn't possibly see how he would be connected to the ex League member. Unless he'd been dirty dealing with Merlyn behind her father's back, too, and had information. Was this why Ra's had decided to move forward with another alliance?
"He has many connections in Corto Maltese, and there have been reports that your father was spotted there—though it has yet to be confirmed. Did your father ever mention having similar connections or holdings in that country?"
For every little tidbit that Ra's revealed, Felicity found herself asking ten more questions. This was all information she would have to remember later. Looking to Nyssa, she saw that the brunette was listening just as closely. They shared a knowing yet discrete glance.
Tommy shook his head. "None that he mentioned to me."
"You are his only son and heir," Ra's persisted, staring him down. "He must have confided in you."
Despite the tremor Felicity noticed in her friend's hand, Tommy evenly replied, "We were never that close. He never told me he was part of the League of Assassins either." He glanced around the room. "I would've remembered that."
"What do you know then?"
"Only that he has abandoned me to pay for his sins." His voice held more steel this time. It was the first glimpse of true anger Felicity had seen from Tommy since he'd started training.
Ra's smirked in satisfaction. He must've seen something he liked, which caused a shiver up Felicity's spine. "It must upset you a great deal to be betrayed by your own blood." When Tommy kept quiet, Ra's went on, "Your father caught on to our way of life quickly. He was a fierce warrior, eager to learn all he could. Eager to fight for the cause and be the best. He was far more equipped to thrive in the League than you. But we do not abandon our own. We will make a man out of yet."
The backhanded compliment was not lost on Tommy, and he bristled next to Felicity. She wished she could reach out a comforting hand to him, but it would not be proper.
"I guess the difference between my father and I was that I didn't ask for this," he responded, somewhat defiantly.
"Al Tareq still has much to learn," Nyssa interjected. "Even some of our best warriors struggled in the beginning."
Ra's scrutinized his daughter. "You have been most eager in apprehending Al Sah-her, and now you sit here defending his heir. My daughter, it sounds as if you have taken a liking to him." His grin was taunting. "There may be hope for you yet."
Nyssa's eyes blazed at the insinuation, but she kept her mouth shut. Quickly, she looked away from her father and stabbed at another bite of food. Talia, meanwhile, sipped her wine with a smug quirk to her mouth.
"We shall keep you abreast of the reports on your father," Ra's said to Tommy. "Perhaps eventually your memory will be of use to us." His tone was firm and left no room for argument. It was more than another assassin that Ra's wanted. Tommy would have to sell out his father in other ways, too. But that didn't stop him from ordering to Al Sah-him, "Increase his training. He needs to be battle ready sooner than later."
Ra's turned to Felicity next, and she braced herself. "Abad-eshams, you, on the other hand, have already proven valuable to our cause. My advisors and Al Sah-him told me how you salvaged our mission against the Bratva."
Al Sah-him showed no sign of emotion from the change of subject. The only indication that he was affected came from the way his hand flexed against where it rested on her thigh beneath the table. Felicity chewed carefully, giving herself time to gather her thoughts.
"I'm glad that I was able to help," she replied simply.
"You have not volunteered to aid Al Hassoub in any other missions since," he pointed out.
"I only intervened at Al Sah-him's request." She left it at that, despite sensing that Ra's was expecting more.
The Demon's Head assessed her further before turning his regard to Al Sah-him. "Pity." Her husband's hand flexed against her once more. Something else passed between the two men, which was exasperatingly indecipherable considering how well they both knew how to disguise their real emotions.
The rest of the meal was spent talking about people and events of which Felicity knew little about. The tension in the room seethed beneath the polite conversation. The dinner—which was nothing more than a means for Ra's to reassert his power upon his return—couldn't end fast enough, and Felicity felt somewhat queasy after forcing herself to eat. She barely spared a glance at Talia who, thankfully, would be returned and re-confined to her room. After saying goodnight to Nyssa and Tommy, Felicity walked with Al Sah-him back to their own quarters.
"What was all that about?" She kept her voice low, so the guards trailing them wouldn't hear. The tension in her husband's body had eased but only a little.
"Which part?" he murmured.
She sighed, frustrated. There was much to discuss, but she chose her greatest concern. "So we just forgive Talia now?"
"It would appear so."
"Oliver," she imploringly whispered, desperate to know what he was thinking. Felicity was not in the mood for double meanings. There was enough of that all evening.
Finally, he looked down upon her. His expression was hard, though his eyes were vibrant blue pools of tenderness. "We're appeasing Ra's," he said so quietly she had to lean in closer to hear him. "But do not think for one second, shamsi, that I will ever excuse or overlook what was done to you."
Felicity absorbed the fierce promise in his stare and nodded in acceptance. Oliver leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. The relief was fleeting but welcomed all the same.
It was just as Felicity had finished getting dressed the next day that she received a summons to the war room. Her stomach lurched remembering what had transpired the last time that had happened, and it was made worse by additional information being denied to her. Already she knew this was different, because it was Sarab who had come to fetch her. When she asked about Al Sah-him, he did not answer and silently beckoned her to follow.
Her hands fisted at her sides, resisting the urge to fidget on the walk over. Although she didn't think she would ever get used to her role as the heir's bride, Felicity had at least mastered how to conduct herself while in public. The few faces she recognized received a cool nod, but not once did she ever let her chin fall or her expression show her growing concern.
Felicity's guards were left outside as she followed Sarab into the war room. She found that the middle-aged man was harder to read than even Ra's sometimes. He rarely showed emotion and when he did, it was short-lived.
"Sidi," Sarab addressed Ra's in the nearly empty room. He was at the table with an advisor on either side; Al Sah-him was nowhere in sight. Her eyes cut to the left where the computer station was located. Al Hassoub was also missing.
Felicity's heart began to beat double time. A few deep breaths were necessary to keep herself in check, though her mind was already running wild with reasons—most not good—for Ra's to request her presence alone.
"Thank you, Sarab. You may go—all of you."
She felt the weight of the men's stares as they left but never diverted her attention from Ra's. He was studying her with the same intensity as the evening before. While Felicity's instinct was to take a step back, she stood her ground. She couldn't let him intimidate her from the get-go, no matter how unnerved she was. The urge to fill the silence overwhelmed her, and she also bit back the need to babble. Felicity didn't want to give anything away before knowing what this was all about.
"Abad e-shams," Ra's greeted, "you look lovely this morning. Is that a new dress?"
The comment threw her for a second but she answered, "Yes." Her hands reflexively smoothed down the navy blue brocade material with gold embroidery.
He grinned in response. "Masa-til-Sahim"
Felicity understood the translation but not the reference. "Excuse me?"
"The Arrow's Diamond," he repeated in English. "It is what my people have taken to calling you. Your penchant for fine dresses, and the way you have seemed to captivate Al Sah-him, becoming the jewel of his eye, has earned you the moniker." Seeing her surprise and confusion, he elaborated, "It is a compliment. You should be flattered."
Felicity, still shocked, did not know what to think about that and filed it away to reflect on later. "Where is Al Sah-him?"
"Did he not tell you? I assumed you had grown close," Ra's commented, eyeing her intently. "Your husband is training with Al Tareq."
The blonde evenly replied, "I know that, but I thought that something had happened. That he was the one who'd summoned me here."
"You and I have not gotten a chance to talk much since the wedding. With Eid Al Ta'sees so close and your father's impending arrival, I thought we should. Are you eager to see him?"
"Not particularly," Felicity stated bluntly.
Ra's grinned, as if amused. "You are still angry with him, I gather."
"Yes." There was no use denying it.
"A good daughter should obey her father."
"I did not grow up in the League. In the real world, I am a grown woman with every right to choose how I want to live my life."
"'The real world,'" he restated while circling the enlarged map. "If that life is your reality, then perhaps you have not assimilated into the League as well as we have thought. What is this life to you?"
Felicity knew she had be careful now. She mindfully replied, "I cannot forget my past. But I have decided to forge a new future. I am Abad-eshams, bride of Warith al Ghul. I know my place."
"Would it surprise you that I am relieved you have not forgotten your past?" He repositioned a few pieces on the map. "Your marriage to Al Sah-him was meant to solidify the alliance, and your father extolled your many virtues to convince us it was worth our while. Damien was adamant about your intelligence, and my advisors have confirmed it was not an embellishment. I do not pretend to be an expert in modern technology—though I have seen it evolve—but they say you are even more capable than Al Hassoub," Ra's explained. "Powerful in how you bend the digital world to your will and perhaps even dangerous if not wielded correctly."
"You make me sound like a weapon." Felicity held his stare regardless of her discomfort in where she sensed this conversation going.
Ra's smirked and came around the table to stand only a few feet from her. His watchful eyes bore into her. "Curious that your father would choose to give away such talent—and one of his own blood, too."
Felicity knew exactly what Ra's was looking to get out of her. He wanted her to reveal the source of the rift between her and her father. Most likely so that he could exploit it. He was going to be very disappointed. "As you said, it was for the alliance. A necessary sacrifice," she said, unable to fully disguise her resentment.
"His loss is certainly our gain. I would like for you to work with Al Hassoub—aid him in missions and take him under your wing."
"My skill is not something that can be easily taught."
"Would you prefer to work alone?" he questioned. "That can be arranged."
Felicity had been wary of this, and now she understood why Ra's had brought the subject up the previous night. Was this also why Al Sah-him had been so tense lately? Did he know Ra's was planning on asking her to take on more missions and use her abilities for his own gain?
"The only reason I got involved before was because my husband asked for my help."
"Now I am the one asking," Ra's declared, though he wasn't asking so much as ordering.
"My husband said he does not wish me to be involved in League affairs," Felicity countered, which was true. "Abiding by your laws, I must do as he says." It was an archaic explanation, but the only real objection she could give without outright refusing him.
"I am the Demon's Head. My word is law. All must abide, even your husband."
"Then let me hear it from him." She refused to back down. If she gave in, then Ra's would think he fully had his hooks in her. She couldn't give him that kind of satisfaction, especially when he wielded so much power already. Felicity could not let Al Sah-him be cut out of the equation. He was her lifeline in all of this, and it would anger him anyway to know she'd agreed without consulting him.
Ra's drew closer to her. His eyes drilled into her, as if he could willfully make her spill all of her secrets and bend to him. "You have a great fire in you," he observed after a moment. "I see why Al Sah-him is so besotted by you. That fire would draw any fierce warrior in. A weak will yields weak results, just as a weak fire yields little heat. I have seen the passion that burns between you"—his lascivious look told her he was remembering when he'd caught them in the training room, and it took considerable self-control for Felicity not to cringe—"and understand the desire to control the flame."
Felicity neither confirmed nor denied his observation. She did not owe Ra's an explanation in this regard. What she and Al Sah-him had was between the two of them. Felicity would not let him twist it into something cheap and ugly to fit his agenda.
Ra's continued, "If he will not allow you to join in our mission, then he must believe you serve a higher purpose." He was studying her again. "I was pleased to see that you are upholding your wifely duties and satisfying your husband. Are we to expect another heir soon?"
Frowning, she did not register his words beyond the initial disgust that all she was good for was sex. When the meaning did register, Felicity nearly choked on her tongue. "Heir?" she sputtered. "You mean like a child?"
"A son," Ra's confirmed. "I noticed you looked pale at dinner last night and were not eating. Has the sickness started?"
"I-I'm not pregnant," Felicity rushed out, stammering. "I'm only twenty-four."
"My late wife was younger than you when she had Nyssa."
Not if I can help it, she wanted to say but clamped her mouth shut tight. Felicity was absolutely not going to talk about this with Ra's of all people. He'd creeped her out before but the personal nature of his observations was starting to make her skin crawl. In the midst of Felicity figuring out the politest way to tell this bastard to mind his own damn business, without resulting in her own beheading, the door to the war room opened. The sight of Al Sah-him caused a sigh of relief to escape her lips.
Al Sah-him paused mid-step, bewildered by the scene he'd walked into. He looked between Ra's and Felicity before settling on her. She silently pleaded with him to get her out of there.
"Al Sah-him, you were supposed to be training Al Tareq," Ra's stated.
"I was, Sidi, but Nyssa took over so that I could check in with you and the advisors." He frowned as his mind seemed to be trying to work out exactly what he was seeing. "Was there a meeting I wasn't informed of?"
"No, Al Sah-him. Your presence was not necessary. Abad-eshams and I were simply catching up seeing as though much has changed upon my return. You may have been right that I cannot coax her into working with Al Hassoub. She will not take up such a challenge without your permission. It will please you to know you have such a devoted wife." It sounded like Ra's was paying him a compliment, but the disapproval in his eyes told a different story.
Crossing the distance, Al Sah-him came to stand between her and Ra's. "If you would like to discuss it further, I'm here now." He sounded amenable, though Felicity recognized the stubborn glint in his gaze. A different kind of dread filled her as she worried about causing a rift between Ra's and Al Sah-him. Maybe she'd been too bold and defiant.
She placed a hand on the back of his shoulder. "Al Sah-him—" she began.
"Abad-eshams, inform the guard outside that he is to escort you to Ta-er al-Asfe," he ordered.
Felicity didn't want to leave but knew better than to argue. It would only make the rising tension worse. She dropped her hand and stepped away from him. Stalling for a few seconds, she hoped to catch his eye. Al Sah-him did not once look away from Ra's, and so she took her cue and quickly left.
When she met up with Sara, her friend instantly noticed that something was wrong. Felicity brushed it off, and they retreated to Sara's room. She thought working on the device might help ease her worry, but not even her precious tech was enough to alleviate the tightness in her chest. Her mind would not stop spinning with various scenarios of Ra's and Al Sah-him facing off. Because that's exactly what it looked like when she left—a showdown—and it was all because of her. Yet again, Felicity was left to wonder if this was the source of Al Sah-him's tension all week or if she'd sparked up a new controversy.
Searching through the tiny pieces of tech to find the one she needed was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Felicity was too distracted, and eventually she asked that Sara return her to her room. She said she had a headache, which wasn't exactly a lie. Her head was pounding as it spun. Mostly, though, Felicity just wanted to be in their room while she waited for Al Sah-him to return. They wouldn't be able to talk if she stayed with Sara.
As soon as she was alone, Felicity walked out onto the balcony for some fresh air. It was hot and dry but better than nothing. She wrung her hands over the railing and chewed on her bottom lip. Thoughts of Armitage, Tommy, jewels, and heirs invaded and overlapped in her thoughts, competing for her attention and increasing her worry. In the midst of her turmoil, there was only one question she kept coming back to: where would it all lead her?
Translations:
Eid Al Ta'sees = Founding Day
shamsi = my sun
Sidi = Master
Masa-til-Sahim = The Arrow's Diamond
Thanks again for reading, everyone. Daddy Darhk is back next chapter!