Thank you all for your enthusiasm for this fic and taking the time to review! I know many of you have been anxiously waiting for an update. Unfortunately, real life and juggling another story have made me a little strapped for time lately. Feel free to follow me on Twitter (Bindy_417). I usually announce when I'm in the process of writing the next chapter and when it's posting. I hope you enjoy this next one. Some big things are revealed. Translations are at the end. Happy reading!

Chapter 5: The Offer

"Seti, Seti!"

Felicity turned away from her game with Sara and toward the high-pitched, tinkling voice. She smiled when little Amina approached, proudly wearing the dress Felicity had commissioned to be made for her. Her mother was not far behind. Amina twirled before stopping to bow in front of Felicity.

"How do I look?" she enthused.

"Amoora," Felicity complimented, trying out one of the newest translations she'd been practicing.

"Shukran," Amina thanked her.

Amina's mother bowed, as well, and said, "Thank you for the generous gift, Seti. My daughter has wanted to wear nothing else."

"You're welcome. I'm glad she likes it."

"If there is anything we can do to repay you—"

"Nonsense," Felicity interjected. "A gift is given out of kindness. The whole point is that you owe nothing in return."

"Thank you, Seti. We are very grateful."

"What are you playing?" Amina questioned and stared at the deck of cards between Felicity and Sara.

"It's a card game called poker." After spending a good chunk of her day in the library, Felicity had needed a change of scenery. Sara had accompanied her to the common room, and they'd struck up a game.

The simple deck of cards was unexpectedly comforting to Felicity. It reminded her of growing up in Vegas and hanging out at the casino while her mother worked. The job of a cocktail waitress would probably be seen as beneath a woman like Donna who was married to a powerful man like Damien Darhk. Her father, of course, had told her mother to do it. Both his rivals and allies frequently hung out in the lounges, and it was the perfect way for her mother to get close to them without seeming suspicious.

Donna had a variety of wigs and outfits she'd rotate to play different characters. To a young Felicity, it was one giant, elaborate game of dress-up. The nights her mother would let her dress up, too, were always fun. It was only when Felicity was older did she realize what a dangerous situation they'd been put in, and because of her father no less. After eavesdropping on the customers' conversations, her mother would later report the information back to Darhk to do with it whatever he pleased. Despite being a dutiful wife, Felicity knew her mother hated it. The only upside was that Donna was able to keep the money she made while working, hoarding it away in case of emergencies. Too bad she never actually got to use it.

"Can I play?" Amina asked, breaking Felicity out of her troubled thoughts.

"Amina," her mother spoke up, "let us not disturb—"

Needing a distraction and some normal interaction—children were so free and unrehearsed in how they acted—Felicity invited both Amina and her mother to pull up chairs. Amina sat right next to Felicity and beamed in delight when she was designated her "special helper." Since Amina didn't understand the concept of a poker face as Felicity simply and quietly explained the hands they were dealt, her winning streak had ended. The reprieve was worth it.

The three women spoke cordially as they played multiple hands. Felicity had learned that Amina's mother's name was Sahar. She'd been born into the League like Amina and had been trained to fight, but never became an assassin like her husband. She worked as one of the lead cooks in the kitchen.

"If there is anything you'd like, Seti, I would be happy to carry out the request," Sahar offered.

"Considering where we are, I assume a Big Belly Burger and fries are out of the question," Felicity joked. What she wouldn't give for a chocolate shake, too. She missed American food so badly. It might be greasy, salty, and unhealthy but, damn it, it was good. It was familiar.

Sahar frowned in confusion. "Big Belly Burger?" she repeated, sounding unsure.

"It's a fast food restaurant. Nevermind," Felicity dismissed.

Sara grinned in amusement. "It's good," she assured Sahar. "Perhaps there is something else Abad-eshams might like that you know of. There are some special reserves of food, aren't there?"

Sahar hesitated. "That is true."

"Did we win?" Amina cut in and placed their cards on the table, revealing a measly pair of twos.

Ignoring her full house, Sara said to her, "You did."

Amina clapped in excitement and watched in fascination as Sara shuffled the deck again.

Felicity laughed before addressing Sahar once more. "You don't have to get me anything, Sahar. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"I made the offer, Seti, and you are married to Warith al Ghul. I will do as you command."

"Abad-eshams likes ice cream," Sara casually suggested.

Sahar brightened. "We do have that."

Felicity absently tugged at her long sleeves and tried not to sound too eager. "You do? How is that possible in this sauna?"

"We do have some modern conveniences," the woman explained. "One of Ra's al Ghul's mistresses considers it a delicacy. We keep it stocked for her."

"Now I really can't take that."

"She'll never know." Sahar leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. "She has not been eating much as of late. She has needed her dresses to be let out twice already in the last couple of months."

Felicity's eyes widened at the bit of gossip. She didn't know why any of this still surprised her. Just because the League was mostly made up of a bunch of masked, stone-faced assassins didn't mean they didn't run their mouths in private. Felicity knew firsthand what it was like to be the center of unwanted attention. Even now, the other people in the room were watching her while trying to feign disinterest.

"Any chance you have mint chocolate chip?" Felicity questioned hopefully. "It's my favorite flavor."

Sahar shook her head, apologetic. "Fatemah favors strawberry. But I shall look."

"Shukran."

"I am happy to do it." Glancing at her daughter, who was happily distracted with trying to shuffle the cards as Sara taught her, added, "Her father has been away a long time. She misses him. Your gift has brightened her spirits. You have a kind heart, Seti, and I will ensure that others know that."

Feeling an unexpected wave of emotion, Felicity returned her friendly smile. Excusing herself, Sahar said that she had to be getting to the kitchen to prepare for dinner later. Felicity gave Amina a hug and promised that she would teach her another game soon. "Go Fish" would probably be easier and more appropriate for her to follow.

"What?" Felicity said to Sara when she caught the other blonde grinning knowingly at her.

"And you thought you wouldn't make any friends here," Sara teased.

"Keep it up and I might start to regret letting you follow me around," Felicity saucily shot back.

"As if you could escape me."

"That's the point, though, isn't it?" Felicity said more seriously. "You spend so much time with me because Al Sah-him orders you to." Although she and Sara got along well, Felicity wasn't under any delusions that they were BFFs.

"True," Sara admitted. "Doesn't mean I don't enjoy your company either. I'd much rather hang with you than tussling all day with a bunch of sweaty assassins. Constantly winning can get boring after a while."

Laughing, Felicity said, "How modest. What about Nyssa? What does she think of you spending so much time with me?"

"Nyssa isn't really the jealous type," Sara explained. "Besides, she likes you."

"She barely speaks to me," Felicity scoffed and stood up. She brushed the creases from her dress.

"It's difficult for her to open up. You two are more alike than you think."

Sara and the other guard that usually accompanied them escorted her back to her bedroom. On the way, one of the hallway doors opened and a group of women emerged. Talia was among them, as well as Ra's al Ghul's four mistresses. Regardless of the ick factor, Felicity honestly didn't know how he could juggle all of them. Felicity thought there'd be more jealousy than what she'd witnessed when they were together, but she supposed the arrangement was much like an episode of Sister Wives on TLC. They all quieted as soon as they saw her.

Al Sah-him had once asked why Felicity never spent any time in the sitting room that was built specifically for the women. This was why. The one and only time Felicity had gone in there, she'd been ostracized and couldn't understand half of what they were saying. She got the gist, however, if their catty and condescending looks were any indication. Felicity didn't know if it was Ra's or Talia's influence, but she wasn't about to beg for them to like her. Hessa, their leader, scrutinized Felicity. The envy in her stare was obvious as she openly gawked at Felicity's dress. Talia had also adopted her murderous glare once more.

Lifting her head high, Felicity walked right past them. She was almost out of earshot when she heard one of them call out after her, "Bint kalb."

Felicity wouldn't have given it a second thought if not for Sara's reaction. The blonde's heated response was sharp, and she spoke so fast that it was hard for Felicity to catch everything. She caught the word "rude" in there somewhere. The group of women, ignoring her rebuke, turned and left. Their smug voices echoed down the hallway.

"What'd they say?" she questioned Sara when they reached her door.

"Don't worry about it."

Nothing if not persistent, Felicity said, "It must've been pretty bad."

"I've got some training to do," Sara announced, ignoring her inquiry. "As usual, if you want to go somewhere, take the guards with you. Don't try to ditch them." She gave Felicity a look of warning. The other day Felicity had attempted to shake them. It didn't take them or Sara long to track her down. It probably would've helped if Felicity knew where she was going and hadn't gotten turned around in one of the corridors.

"Fine," she sighed before entering the room. It was late afternoon, and Felicity was bored and hot yet again. Not caring that she'd probably have to change back into it later, Felicity stripped out of her dress and put on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Her jeweled head chain followed before she reached into the nightstand for Sara's iPod.

Felicity listened to it for several minutes a day, not wanting to drain the battery too quickly. Considering what had just happened out in the hallway, Felicity decided to allow herself a few extra minutes today. She'd earned it. Felicity missed technology so much. There was nothing like placing her hands on a keyboard and letting the code for a new program or an especially challenging yet exhilarating hack flow out of her.

Computers were simple. Felicity entered a command, and the computer followed. There was no ulterior motive or agenda. And she certainly didn't have to worry about it going rogue and stabbing her. Her mind had always been her greatest strength. Knowledge was power. If the League wasn't literally stuck in the Dark Ages and had decent Wi-Fi, she could've zeroed in on her location, sent word to Dig to bring the cavalry, and busted out of there. But alas, several minutes of modern music were all she had to maintain her sanity.

Needing a good surprise for once, Felicity put Sara's iPod on shuffle. The first song that played was Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved," which was one of her favorites. She hummed along as she organized the dresses in her wardrobe. It was another addition to their room, since they were too beautiful to be folded and thrown in a drawer. When Felicity's mother had been stressed or upset, she would always fold laundry. It was a habit Felicity had never picked up until now. There was only so much she could do, especially since they had servants who came in every day to tidy up.

A few more songs played, and Felicity had to laugh at Sara's embarrassment over her playlists. She had a unique mix of genres, but most were Top 40 hits that Felicity would never expect an international assassin to be into. Felicity, not one to be picky at the moment, enjoyed them all. The distraction helped to quiet her mind while her hips swayed to the beats of the dance songs. Her excitement was full blown when Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" came on. It was one of Felicity's favorites growing up, and it wasn't long before she was dancing outright.

The guards stationed outside could probably hear her singing. Felicity didn't care. So much of her behavior these last few weeks was controlled in order to assimilate into the League. Her bedroom was the one place she could totally let loose. She busted out a couple of her best dance moves, letting her hair down and shaking it around, while reciting the lyrics. Stepping onto the bed, Felicity bounced on the mattress and used the iPod as a makeshift microphone. It was at the end, mid-bounce, that she noticed Al Sah-him standing by the door.

Felicity yelped in surprise and nearly went careening off the bed. Al Sah-him was as quick as lightning and caught her before she hit the ground. "Holy frack," she exclaimed and instinctively clung to him.

He gripped her tightly in return. "You all right?"

"You're really strong," she blurted out. "I mean, that is so wrong. Do you always have to be like a silent ninja? You scared me half to death."

"I was enjoying the show," he responded, unapologetic. There was that damn sexy smirk again.

Her stomach fluttered. "Don't get used to it. It'll never happen again."

Al Sah-him lifted her a little higher, so their eyes were level. "That's a shame, shamsi."

His throaty voice enveloped her like a blanket, and she suppressed a shiver. "We're alone. You don't have to call me that."

"I know."

"You're still holding me." She wriggled in his grasp, but it was nowhere near forceful enough to actually get away from him. If anything, it made her body rub up against his more, and a bolt of heat shot straight to her core. Felicity was glad she decided to keep her bra on or else he'd know just how much his closeness was affecting her.

"I am."

She didn't think he'd been training yet today, because she could still smell the sweet spiciness of his cologne. It heightened her senses, and Felicity resisted the urge to lean in and breath the combination of it with his own manly musk. Something cold touched her skin, and she gasped at the unfamiliar sensation. It was then that Felicity saw the pint of ice cream and spoon in his hand. Had that always been there?

"Is that for me?"

"Sahar said no mint chocolate chip this time, but that she can get it for you in the next delivery. She figured you'd like chocolate as an alternative."

"Oh my God." Felicity could hardly contain her excitement. Finally, Al Sah-him placed her on her feet. She wouldn't let herself dwell long on the sudden loss of his touch as she reached for the ice cream. "Come to mama." The crisp coldness felt amazing and, without a second thought, Felicity placed it in the crook of her neck. She quietly moaned at the feel of it against her hot skin.

She was keenly aware of Al Sah-him watching her the entire time. The amusement he'd been exuding before became heavy, and his eyes darkened. Felicity shivered, but it wasn't from the cold.

Al Sah-him held out the spoon. "You'll need this for when you stop fondling it and actually eat it." His words were simple yet weighted. She felt the heat sizzle through her a second time. It was a stark contrast to the melting ice now sliding down her chest and between her breasts. His eyes unabashedly followed their trail.

Not knowing what came over her, Felicity let her hand brush his when she took the spoon. She opened the ice cream, never breaking eye contact, and stuck the spoon inside.

"You'll spoil your dinner," he muttered just before she brought it to her lips.

Felicity ate it anyway, allowing her tongue to lick the remnants off the spoon. The only indication that he was just as affected was by the shallow, heavy breath she heard him inhale. The corner of her mouth quirked in a coy smirk. "It's delicious. Want some?"

Forget the spoon, the charged tension that filled the air could be cut with a knife. Felicity didn't know why she was suddenly baiting him. Most of their exchanges over the last few days had been normal. The tension was always there between them, but they'd learned to ignore it. Had Al Sah-him been right before? Did she like playing this game with him? Was her startling brazenness a way for her to invite his attention without actually asking for it?

He didn't answer. Instead, Al Sah-him silently reached up. She felt his thumb touch the corner of her lips and swipe. He brought the liquid remnants to his mouth and sucked it off. How could something so simple be so sensual at the same time? Felicity almost dropped the carton.

"You're right. It is delicious," he gruffly stated. "But I'm hungry for more than a snack."

If her heart wasn't attached to her body, it would've thudded right out of her chest. Felicity stared at his lips, wondering how he'd react if she stood on her toes and just planted one on him. That would probably get rid of the arousing, self-satisfied smirk on his face. On their wedding night, Al Sah-him had said he wouldn't do anything unless she asked. A kiss didn't have to mean anything. Maybe it was time to just get it out of the way and prove for once and for all that the heated stares and innuendo were nothing more than a ruse. Felicity felt the tug of the invisible force between them. It was strong and potent, setting the blood pumping in her veins ablaze despite the frozen treat she held in her hand. It might finally be extinguished if they kissed—the anticipation proving to be more of a turn on than the actual act.

The bigger risk, conversely, was that the fire wouldn't go out. That one, simple touch of their lips would feed the inferno. And if that barrier was broken, then there would be no stopping until it consumed them both. Al Sah-him wasn't the type to do anything halfway. His restraint with her these last few weeks was more than she expected, but she also saw the hunger and passion that was always simmering below the surface when she was around. He was better at hiding it when they were in public but when they were alone like this, the mask was nothing more than a thin veil. If she unleashed it fully, who knew what would become of her? The only way Felicity could survive here, the only way she could maintain control, was to keep her distance. She couldn't fuel the flames and let herself burn. She had to keep herself cold as ice.

With that in mind, Felicity said the one thing she knew would douse the flames. "What does 'bint kalb' mean?" she rushed out.

It had the intended effect. Al Sah-him reared back as if she'd hit him. His features hardened. "Where did you hear that?" The gruffness of his tone was fueled by anger now rather than desire.

"What is it?"

"Who said it to you?"

"I asked you first," Felicity stubbornly retorted. "I want to know what it means." The scowl on his face made it clear he didn't want to answer. "Fine. I'll look it up for myself." She started toward her bureau, where the majority of her books rested, but barely made it a few steps before he caught hold of her arm.

"It means 'daughter of a dog,'" he bit out. "It's an insult against one's father."

Felicity's brow scrunched. "Well, my father is a dog. That doesn't seem so bad."

"It's an insult to you as much as it is to him. It means there is shame in how you were brought up. That you are a reflection of that. The actual term is more disgraceful in its original form than in translation."

"So basically it's a fancy way of calling me trailer trash," Felicity surmised. Maybe she shouldn't have asked. Insulting her was bad enough but then to connect her to her father, it was as hurtful as it was meant to be.

"Who said it?" Al Sah-him demanded forcefully.

Felicity was aware he wasn't mad at her, but that didn't lessen the onslaught of his fury. She tried not to flinch. "I don't know. One of Ra's mistresses, I think."

"Which one?"

"My back was turned. Sara would probably know. She was there."

Al Sah-him made for the door. Felicity cast her ice cream aside and sprinted after him. "No, wait. Where are you going?"

"To deal with this."

"No, please, don't say anything. It'll only make it worse." Her plan had worked a little too well, and now she'd released a completely different kind of beast.

"I won't stand for that kind of talk, Felicity."

Felicity threw herself between him and the door. "Al Sah-him, please," she begged. "Leave it alone. You already know they hate me. A lot of people do. You can't just keep on going off half-cocked defending me."

"Nothing about me is half-cocked," he pointedly growled and went for the doorknob.

She rested her weight against it and placed her hands on his chest. "Look, I get this whole 'I'm your husband I have to defend you and my honor thing' but I'm serious, I don't want you to say anything to them. If you say something, they'll know I tattled and they'll hate me even more. I don't need any extra drama."

"Felicity—"

"Please." In a rare gesture, Felicity placed her hand on his cheek. She held firm despite the roughness of his scruff against her soft hand. The sensation was ticklish yet electrifying. He stilled completely in response. "I'm asking you not to do this."

They stood in silent opposition. When her fingers gently stroked his cheek, he was the first to break. Al Sah-him closed his eyes and appeared to calm as the seconds passed.

"I won't say anything," he finally declared.

Felicity breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"There are more creative ways of punishing them. They won't know it's directly because of you," Al Sah-him reassured her.

"You're not going to kill anyone, are you?" She was really only half teasing. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Then I won't stop you."

"It's cute that you think you can."

"Pretty sure I just did," she confidently replied.

"Only because I let you, shamsi." His entire hand encircled her wrist. His fingertips stroking the tender skin on the inside had her biting her lip. He rose to his full height, towering over her. Removing her hand from his face, he interlaced their fingers and pinned them to the door. His were so much larger, and she felt the power in his hold as he flexed them against her. He surrounded her completely, and she felt the flames licking at her walls again.

He leaned in close to her ear, and she tilted her head toward his lips that were hovering. She blinked in a daze when he gripped her other hand and pinned that by her hip. "You do feel stronger." He flexed their fingers again, causing every intimate groove to brush against each other. "We should probably continue those archery lessons to keep it up."

Not trusting her voice, Felicity gave an infinitesimal nod. She inhaled his scent as she wanted to do earlier, and it made her head spin. Every single nerve-ending in her body was firing at his proximity. He had her so mesmerized, he could probably kiss her right now and she wouldn't put up a fight.

"And, Felicity…" He drew back to look at her.

"Yeah," she murmured.

"Better eat that ice cream before it melts."

It was late in the evening, and the corridors were relatively quiet. Felicity made her way to the library, for once not needing anyone to guide her path. She'd learned this route weeks ago. She wasn't alone, of course. Her guard trailed behind her.

"Where's your twin?" Felicity questioned him. There were usually two men with her if Sara wasn't around.

"He had some business to attend to. He will return shortly," he replied in a monotone voice.

Felicity entered the library, which was mostly empty. She was glad for it. Being able to peruse in peace and be alone in her thoughts was what she needed right now. She couldn't stay in her bedroom. Al Sah-him had taken off again and when she'd questioned where he was going, he wouldn't answer. All he said was "don't wait up." To say that she was irritated was an understatement.

There could be a million different reasons for him taking off at all hours of the day. Felicity was still unclear what exactly all of his responsibilities entailed as Warith al Ghul. But what could he possibly have to do at night? He wasn't always dressed in his battle gear either. The answer came too easily, and even worse was the hollow feeling it caused in the pit of her stomach.

Al Sah-him was attracted to her. The scorching, hungry desire just below the surface every time they had one of their charged moments, like the other day, was proof enough. On the other hand, that didn't mean he wasn't off seeking the company of other women. After the wedding, Sara had mentioned that Al Sah-him had never taken a formal mistress. He might not have a whole harem like Ra's, but there was an entire floor of the compound dedicated to satisfying its members' sexual needs. It was probably why Al Sah-him managed to keep himself in check around Felicity. What he wasn't getting from her, he could get from others.

Should she be offended and upset? If she was, then that would mean she didn't want him touching other women. Which would, in turn, mean she wanted him touching her. And that wasn't what Felicity wanted. No, definitely not, she thought, even as the memory of him licking his finger and pinning her to the door the other day made her cheeks burn. Maybe it had nothing to do with touching at all. Maybe it was the hypocrisy of Al Sah-him being so pigheaded about defending her "honor" while simultaneously smearing it by seeking out other women. If that was even what he was doing. Felicity had thought about asking Sara but then decided against it. She didn't want to put her one friend in the middle of it all or take the chance that it got back to Al Sah-him. Their marriage was arranged. They had no real claims over each other, but did that discount general respect for each other's roles in this? Where did they draw the line? Felicity didn't know what the hell to think anymore.

Slipping between the stacks of books, Felicity sighed in frustration. Her guard stayed in the main part of the library, for which she was thankful. He wouldn't be able to see the way her shoulders slumped as she rested her head against the shelf. There was no controlling her wayward thoughts at the moment. She just had to feel them.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Felicity's eyes snapped open, and her body tensed. The familiar cold, menacing voice fell over her like a cloud of darkness. Nothing about Talia's physical stature would generally be perceived as threatening. Unlike Nyssa, she was short and small with soft, angelic facial features. The dress she wore was not as elaborate as Felicity's, but its design was elegant and clearly spoke of her high rank within the League. Any danger and malice she did project was all contained in her eyes. They were sharp and predatory as they took Felicity in like the cornered animal she felt.

Talia had emerged from the shadows of the stacks and stood at the opening. The first thing Felicity checked was Talia's hands for a weapon. They were empty, but that didn't mean she couldn't have something tucked into her dress. Her first assassination attempt had been while clasping a necklace. If Talia could maneuver so stealthily with her hands full, then there was no telling what she could do with them completely free.

Despite the absolute terror Felicity felt, she stood up straight and lifted her head. She could not let this girl see her fear. Talia fed on it. Thrived in it. Felicity thought about calling out to her guard before clamping her mouth shut. It would be a sign of weakness if she did and playing right into Talia's current power trip.

Felicity had to remember Al Sah-him's advice to her weeks ago. She was Abad-eshams, wife to the Heir to the Demon. She outranked almost everyone in the League, including Talia. She didn't just belong in Nanda Parbat, she owned it. Felicity let that knowledge wash over her and fuel her confidence. She could do this. She had to.

"What do you want?" Felicity replied evenly.

"It has been almost a month since your arrival. I thought it was time we got more acquainted."

"If you want to talk, fine. But if this is another attempt to get close to me just so you can plunge a knife in my back, then that's a hard pass from me."

Talia held up her hands. "Do you see any weapons?"

"I grew up in H.I.V.E. and have been in Nanda Parbat long enough now to know that what you see isn't always what's real."

"You are right about that. Our eyes can deceive us. That is why the League teaches us to face our fears and trust our instincts." Her grin was daring. "What are your instincts telling you right now?"

"That despite this little friendly chat you want to have, you'd still stab me the first chance you got."

Talia moved to lean against the opposite stack. "On that we can agree."

"But you also know that if you make a move against me, it would do you no favors with Al Sah-him," Felicity pointed out. It was the only way she could get the upper hand. "I've seen the way you look at him. You're aren't just mad you lost your birthright. You're mad that you've lost him."

"I have not lost anything," Talia said coolly. "Your marriage is a sham." If it weren't for the way the brunette was twisting the emerald bracelet around her wrist, Felicity might've believed her casual demeanor.

"It's not conventional, but he's still my husband."

"He's not actually your husband until it's been consummated."

"It has." She held Talia's gaze, willing her words to sound true.

"I heard about the blood, and I do not believe it. I know Al Sah-him," Talia stated. "He would not dare touch you if it was against your will. He has too much honor for that. It is similar to when we were first betrothed. I was only fifteen when my father arranged it. Had it not been for Al Sah-him's condition that we wait until I was older, my father would have had us married within the year."

Felicity had to admit that what Talia was telling her sounded like something Al Sah-him would do. They may have been enemies at one point, but he'd never treated Felicity with anything other than respect and kindness since their first meeting. It was more than she would have expected from a man who'd worked his way up to be Warith al Ghul, especially given the way she'd been taken against her will and sold into the League.

"That is not the only reason I do not believe the blood," Talia continued. "Al Sah-him has been loyal to me since I have come of age. I have known him intimately, and that has not changed since your union. He would not dishonor me by sinking so low as to fornicate with our enemy. No matter how he dresses you up or attempts to placate you, you are Damien Darhk's daughter and an outsider. Nothing more than an ahhba."

Thanks to some of Sara's more colorful language lessons, Felicity knew exactly what Talia was calling her. It took a few seconds for the rest of what Talia said to sink in, and a wave of outrage overwhelmed her.

"For someone who is so obsessed with honor, you have none yourself," Felicity shot back. There was a slight tremor in her voice as she fought to keep calm. "Where the hell do you get off calling me a whore when you're the one supposedly sleeping with my husband?"

"It is not an insinuation but a fact. You must have noticed by now how he leaves you in the night. Where do you think he is going?" Talia retorted with a smug grin. "Our bond has not been broken, and it never will."

"I doubt your father would approve of you interfering with his alliance."

"What my father does not know will not hurt him. Even if you went to him with this information, he would not believe you. I am his favorite. I can do no wrong in his eyes. Why do you think I was not punished for my attempts to remove you?" she bragged. "You are Al Sah-him's bride but do not think for one second that you have any true power here. You are nothing."

Felicity swallowed the lump forming in her throat and blinked back the tears she could feel pooling in the back of her eyes. She would not cry in front of Talia, but the last thin thread of her resolve did little to curb the brutal sting of her insults. Insults that played on every fear Felicity had since arriving here.

"I understand why you must hate me, but I did not ask for any of this."

"Neither did my mother. She arrived here much the same as you years ago. My father thought she was beautiful, and so he took her from her family. But she was weak and not made for this life. Not long after she had me, she planned an escape that went awry. When the knowledge that she would never truly be able to escape my father finally sunk in, she took her own life. Tossed herself over the balcony from her suite. They found her mangled body on the rocks below the next day."

It wasn't just the story that Talia told of her mother's suicide that made Felicity feel sick but the casual way she recounted it. It was as if it made no difference to her. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you are right that I hate you, but you are also right that you did not ask for this life. You very well may end up like my mother after my father and the League extinguish that pitiful fire inside of you. But I do not have the patience to wait for that day. So I'm offering you a deal," Talia declared. "I grew up here and know the compound intimately. I will help you escape this place and make it so that neither my father nor Al Sah-him ever finds you. Eventually you will be forgotten, and your life will be your own again."

"What's the catch?"

"All you have to do is agree to disappear. Go someplace isolated and keep your head down. Otherwise, it will all be for nothing. They will find you and drag you back here kicking and screaming."

"The alliance will crumble," Felicity reminded her.

"It was never a concern of yours before. Why should it be now?" Talia remarked. "The League of Assassins has been around for thousands of years, and it will continue to thrive whether or not this ridiculous alliance has been broken."

"I need some time to think about it."

"I am offering you your freedom."

"Yes, but I still don't trust you," Felicity answered bluntly. The escape Talia was offering was a hell of a lot more concrete than what Felicity had been able to come up with thus far. What she didn't know about the League and the compound continued to outweigh the little that she had learned. There was no telling how long it would take for her to come up with her own plan. Unfortunately, it would be insane for Felicity to just blindly accept it, considering how dangerous and deceitful Talia had already proven herself to be.

"My father intends to send Al Sah-him away on an important mission for a few days. If you agree to my terms, then it will be the perfect time to make your escape. You have until before he returns to make your choice."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then our little truce for the time being is off." Her dark eyes filled with menace. "You are not the first who has tried to take what is mine, but you will be the last. I will not fail in my next attempt. You can be sure of that, Felicity."

Waiting a few minutes after she heard the bedroom door close, Felicity finally threw back the covers and got out of bed. She had a feeling Al Sah-him would take off again tonight, and this time she was ready. It had been a couple of days since Talia's offer, and Felicity was no closer to making a decision. Al Sah-him hadn't yet mentioned a mission that would take him away from Nanda Parbat, so she figured she had some more time to go over her options. One thing she did know for sure was that she needed to discover the truth. She'd been more distant than usual with Al Sah-him, which he'd no doubt sensed. He was the least talkative between the two of them, and yet he'd chatted away during their archery lesson that afternoon. It was unusual considering how he was constantly admonishing her to keep her focus.

Felicity had made sure to be in bed and already look asleep before he'd returned to their room that evening. Instead of her pajamas, Felicity had changed into one of the League uniforms. She'd "borrowed" it from Sara's room while her friend had excused herself to the bathroom. One of the benefits of having such large, elaborate dresses was that she could stuff them with contraband without anyone the wiser. It was key that she blend in if her plan was to work.

Rushing to her vanity, Felicity put her hair up in a bun. She then called for her guards to enter the room. They arrived within seconds and exchanged puzzled looks at her appearance.

"You called for us, Seti," said the man on the right, Al Saffah. His voice did not betray the confusion he'd shown a second ago.

"Yes, I did. I want you to take me to my husband."

Al Lahab responded, "I will let him know—"

"No. You are going to show me where he has been going at night. Discreetly," Felicity added.

"I'm sorry, Seti, but we cannot do that."

"You are my guards. You are to do as I command. Therefore, I am commanding you to take me to my husband."

"We are your guards, yes, but we are to follow Warith al Ghul's orders. He would not want to be disturbed," Al Saffah curtly informed her.

Felicity had expected this. It was time to move on to the second part of her plan. "I realize you fear what will happen if you disobey Al Sah-him's orders, but what do you think he'll say when he learns that the two of you have been negligent in protecting his wife?"

"That is a lie. We have been protecting you," Al Lahab spoke up, barely disguising his annoyance. "Hence, why no harm has come to you."

"It's actually not a lie. You see, I've noticed over the last week, Al Lahab, that you've been missing from your post quite frequently on the nights that Al Sah-him leaves me. If it were due to an illness or an emergency, he would probably understand. Midnight trips to the brothel for some salacious fun, however, not so much," she challenged and knew she had him for sure when his eyes widened.

Felicity had casually asked Sara about her guards under the guise of getting to know them better. Sara had mentioned in passing that Al Lahab was quite the ladies man. When he wasn't training or carrying out orders, he could be found paying handsomely for his sexual vice. Felicity hadn't been sure that was actually where he'd been going, but it was worth a shot. Luckily, she'd assumed right.

"In addition to covering for him, Al Saffah, you've made a very big mistake of your own. You see, I was cornered by Talia al Ghul while I was in the library the other night. Luckily, she didn't try to stab me like the last time, so I didn't feel the need to call out to you. But I think you'll agree she never should've gotten that close in the first place. How do you think Al Sah-him would react to that?"

Despite only being able to see their eyes, which were flicking between each other, both men appeared profoundly nervous. She had them right where she wanted them.

"I, of course, would be willing to overlook these transgressions if you both quietly take me to my husband without him the wiser. Do we have a deal?" After another moment of hesitation, they nodded begrudgingly. "Excellent." Felicity lifted the black hood over her head and placed the mask on her face. "Lead the way, gentlemen."

Felicity followed them closely out of the room. Her head remained tilted toward the floor so the hood covered the rest of her face that wasn't hidden by the mask. She tried to emulate their brusque, tense mannerisms as they walked down the corridor. Felicity noticed that they were headed toward the part of the wing where Talia's bedroom was located, and her stomach plummeted. She still hadn't been sure whether to believe what Talia had said the other night. Felicity wouldn't put it past the little witch to lie for her own gain. If Al Sah-him was in her room right now, though, then that would confirm it.

The breath Felicity hadn't realized she'd been holding as they passed by Talia's room and continued on came whooshing out. It must've been louder than was appropriate, because she noticed the guards exchange glances. They ventured down the stairwell of the compound until they came upon a dark, dank hallway.

"What is this?" she quietly asked them. She didn't remember this on the tour.

"The dungeons," Al Saffah answered.

Felicity frowned. What the hell was Al Sah-him doing in the dungeons at night? Low voices echoed from down the hall as the guards guided her into an empty and shadowed alcove. There was one voice among them she'd recognize anywhere.

"That's enough interrogation for one night. Make sure the prisoner eats," Al Sah-him ordered. "I won't have him wasting away. He'll be useless to us if he's not kept healthy." There was more discussion, which faded along with their heavy boot steps down the other end of the corridor.

"Are you satisfied now, Seti?" Al Lahab whispered. "We need to get you back to the room before Warith discovers your odd attire."

"I want to see the prisoner." This person had to be important for Al Sah-him to keep visiting him, which automatically piqued Felicity's curiosity.

"What is beyond those doors are not for your eyes," Al Saffah told her.

"Unless you want Al Sah-him to rip out yours, you will show me," she demanded in a steely voice.

"Come on," Al Lahab huffed out before leading her forward.

The limited torchlight in the cell block increased the eeriness of the atmosphere. He found the hidden key and unlocked the sealed gate, lifting it up in a quick and quiet motion to reveal a wall of bars. The only light in the cell came from the moon's beams shining in through the tiny, barred window at the top. A lone figure in a T-shirt and jeans lay chained to the floor on his side, curled in a fetal position. A crumpled, leather jacket was under his head as a makeshift pillow. He didn't look threatening.

"Who is he?"

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

"I do not work in the prison," her guard retorted.

"I do not know either," the other one added. "I wouldn't—"

"Excuse me?" Felicity removed her mask and quietly called to the prisoner. "Sir, are you okay?"

"Wow, that was quick. Miss me already?" the prisoner croaked. His voice sounded raw, as if he'd been screaming for hours. " And they sent a woman now. You are determined bastards. I'll give you that." His body shook has he spoke, revealing his obvious pain. "But I still can't tell you something I don't know."

Felicity pushed down her revulsion and pressed on. "I'm not an interrogator. I just want to know your name."

"You know my name. No matter how many times you try to change it, it's always the same."

"I don't—"

"So go ahead. Pour more buckets of water on me and beat me. Try to force feed me some more of that slop. It's not going to change." His anger was rising. "Do you hear me? I'm not going to tell you anything. So leave me the fuck alone," he finally shouted.

Felicity blanched. "Okay...I understand. You already have a name. Can you at least tell me what it is?" she coaxed in a soothing voice. "I'm new around here. I promise I haven't heard it, and I'd really like to know."

Something in her voice must've reached him, because the prisoner slowly got up and turned to face her. Aside from the dirty, overgrown beard and hair, he was handsome. There was also something strangely familiar about him.

"My name is Tommy," the prisoner answered. His tone was even more hoarse and somber, belying an exhaustion that must now be branded deep in his bones. "Tommy Merlyn."

Translations:

Seti = My Lady

amoora = little moon (a term for beauty)

shukran = thank you

bint kalb = daughter of a dog

shamsi = my sun

ahhba = whore (offensive street slang)

Al Saffah = The Cut-Throat

Al Lahab = The Flame