"Nyssa. Nyssa, don't-"
"Don't what Sara? I am preparing for our mission as instructed by Ra's Al Ghul. That is all." She replied, picking up another sword and studying it with a critical eye.
Sara scoffed. She had known Nyssa long enough to know when she was deflecting, and that was clearly what this was. She honestly didn't think she needed to know her as well as she did though. Everyone could see that Nyssa was in a foul mood. The one assassin who had dared to approach the youngest daughter of his former master had found a sword at his throat, her eyes promising death if he so much as looked in her direction again. He had stepped back and walked away as quickly as he could. Then there was the fact that they didn't need to leave for Starling for several days yet. They wouldn't leave for Starling until Oliver and Talia left for Russia.
Sara walked over to her lover, standing directly behind her. She resisted the urge to attempt to turn Nyssa around to face her, knowing that such a thing may very well provoke a violent reaction. Not that she thought Nyssa would seriously injure her, but she still had no desire to fight with her. However, she also struggled with the silence, the awkwardness that was present, and had been for the last several hours. After seeing Oliver and Sara exit the gym, Nyssa had stared at them for a moment. Then she had turned around and walked away, ignoring Sara's voice calling her name.
Sara had wanted to go after her, but Oliver had put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Sara had understood the message in his eyes, understood that she should be patient and let Nyssa come to her when she was ready. However, Sara had never been a patient person, especially when it came to dealing with problems with those she loved. The blonde had always preferred to have it out with whoever was angry with her, to tackle the problem head on. Let whatever needed to be said be said and move on.
Nyssa was different, preferring to take her time and exact her vengeance when the time was right. Sara remembered one time a new recruit had muttered a homophobic slur towards the two of them, thinking they wouldn't hear. Sara had froze, turning to address the man with her bo-staff, but Nyssa had put her hand on Sara's arm and shook her head.
Months later, the man had faced Nyssa in the training field. She beat him to a bloody pulp before placing her knife at the edge of his mouth. Then she had told him that she would take his tongue if he ever said such a thing again. The man had apologized and begged for her mercy. The point had been made.
"Do you regret it?"
Nyssa's words pulled Sara out of her thoughts. Sara stared at Nyssa's back, knowing that she needed to answer honestly, that she could and would do no less. She only prayed that she didn't lose the woman she loved because of it.
"I don't regret having sex with Oliver. What I regret is that I didn't talk to you about it first. Although to be fair, it kind of just happened." Sara said, and Nyssa snorted.
"That is your excuse? Am I supposed to believe that you had some sort of out of body experience?" Nyssa asked, not turning around.
Sara bit her lip, resisting the urge to comment about how the orgasms she had received were in fact, a kind of out of body experience. Now was not the time.
"What I mean is that we didn't plan on it happening. We were talking, then we sparred and...it happened. Oliver asked me if I was sure, reminded me that I loved you. I asked him not to make me choose, to let me have you both. It was my decision. If you want someone to be angry with, be angry with me."
Nyssa turned to her, staring into her eyes.
"I am angry, and I am hurt. You know what my father was. You know how hard it is for me to trust. I trust your judgement and Talia's enough to bend the knee to Oliver and not a day later he takes you to bed."
"I consented-"
"So did the woman my father took to his bed when he grew tired of my mother. So let me ask, who fills that role? Oliver for me, or you for Talia? Which one of you grew tired of us first?"
"Neither. That's not what happened, and that's not what either of us want." Oliver said from where he stood in the doorway, Talia at his side.
"You stand with him? Knowing what he did?" Nyssa asked her sister, ignoring Oliver's words.
"We discussed it. Oliver loves me, but he also loves Sara. He said he didn't want either one of us to feel like notches on his belt, so I told him not to choose. That he should have us both. He also had no desire to take Sara from you. We were supposed to discuss it at breakfast. The revelation about Merlyn derailed that discussion."
"I'm sorry. Finding out my godfather and honorary uncle is an assassin threw me off." Oliver said.
"I suppose that would throw anyone off." Nyssa said, taking a breath. She could tell that the other three were being honest.
"So, what exactly do you want?"
"I love Sara. I also love your sister. I don't want to have to choose. If it's acceptable to you. You have as much say in this as any of us."
Nyssa didn't speak for a moment, emotions running through her. She was still hurt, However, she now understood that Oliver and Sara's actions had not been meant as a slight to her or her sister. And Oliver Queen was not her father. The woman her father had left her mother for had consented, but the former Ra's Al Ghul would have taken her regardless of her consent. Oliver had asked for consent, made sure that Sara had been willing to be with him. He was standing here asking for her permission for the proposed arrangement. Her father would have simply ordered the arrangement done, with no real thought to the others involved.
"You have my consent, But should you hurt either one of them, I will sever your manhood. Do we understand each other?"
"Perfectly. And Nyssa...Thank you." He said before walking out of the room, leaving Talia and Sara alone with Nyssa.
"Thank you Nyssa. And you Talia." Sara said, kissing Nyssa and offering Talia a smile. The older woman smiled back.
"You are welcome Sara. Now come. Tell me how you and my sister met."
Sara smiled before beginning her tale.
Oliver walked into the throne room, seeing Sarab standing there. It was otherwise empty, just as he had ordered before he and Talia had gone to speak with Nyssa and Sara.
"My liege." Sarab said, kneeling as Oliver approached.
"Stand. Tell me, who are you? Are you Sarab, Horseman of Ra's Al Ghul? Or does the man named Maeseo Yamashiro still live? Is the man I once called friend still there?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth!" Oliver yelled.
"The truth? The truth is I was a fool. A broken man, an empty shell full of nothing but regret and pain. I sought an escape, sought revenge. Now I live in a prison of my own making, my wife gone and my vengeance still out of reach."
"I have a difficult task ahead of me. Bringing justice to my city won't be easy, and I could use your help. But I need to know I can trust you. So I have a task for you. Destroy the Alpha and Omega, and then find your wife. Return to me with her, and then you both may have your vengeance. And I will decide what to do with you."
"Yes my liege."
Sarab bowed and then walked away, turning back as he prepared to exit the throne room.
"Oliver. I won't fail you."
He left, and Oliver sat on his throne.
"I hope not old friend. I hope not."
Russia-Seven Days Later
Oliver and Talia walked into the small terminal, eyes alert. However, it was empty except for four men walking towards them. Oliver could tell from the build that they were all Russian mafia, and that each was carrying a pistol, He had no doubt there were backup weapons in ankle and shoulder holsters.
"Oliver Queen. My favorite American." One of the men said as he reached them.
"Anatoly." He replied, embracing the older man.
"Welcome back to Russia brother. And who is this?" He asked, eyes going to Talia.
"This is Talia, my associate. Talia, this is Anatoly Knyazev Pakahn of the Bratva." Oliver said, and the two shook hands.
"A pleasure to meet you. How Oliver always winds up with beautiful women I will never know. I believe the phrase is lucky bastard." He said, and Talia laughed while Oliver grinned.
"You have no idea. I'll tell you all about it."
Anatoly nodded, gesturing towards a waiting SUV.
"Come, let us go. We will have drink and talk."
They climbed into the SUV, two of the men beside Anatoly and the third in the passenger seat beside the driver. They drove out of the airport. THe SUV went another mile, and then all hell broke loose.
A/N: So here is the new chapter! I hope you all enjoyed! Please read and review and I will see you all in the next chapter!