A/N: Wow, thank you all for your reviews! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying this fic. I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and be sure to check out my author's note at the end. I've got a little announcement that has to wait until you guys read this. Enjoy!
Chapter 9: The Retribution
Warmth. That was the first sensation Felicity felt as her mind slowly woke. Unlike the night before, she wasn't shivering or shaking. She actually felt quite comfortable aside from the aching in her muscles that was starting to become more prominent. The pain medication must've worn off by now, but Felicity made no move to get up. She probably couldn't if she tried with Al Sah-him's solid arms wrapped around her and pressing her to him. His chest was both amazingly soft and hard at the same time. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat sounded against her ear.
Felicity was still exhausted, but she knew sleep wouldn't come again. The few hours of restfulness she found in Al Sah-him's arms were fading and giving way to reality. Her head, in particular, throbbed. Hesitantly, she placed her hand against her face to feel the swollen and bruised area. It was tender, and she flinched upon touching it.
"Do you need ice?" questioned a low voice.
She startled for a moment, having thought that Al Sah-him was still asleep. "Oh, did I wake you?" she whispered.
"No. I've been up."
The sun had barely started to peek over the horizon. It was still early. Felicity did need ice for her face and wrist, but she also didn't want to get up. Getting up would mean leaving the safety of Al Sah-him's arms and having to face what happened to her. She didn't know what she was feeling. She didn't know if she was ready.
"Felicity?" Al Sah-him murmured.
She burrowed more into him and whispered, "Just a few more minutes." Felicity didn't dare look up at him. She was equal parts ashamed and embarrassed that she was clinging to him, but those feelings weren't enough to make her pull away. The comfort he offered and she craved far outweighed them.
"You can sleep as long as you want."
Shaking her head, which wasn't the best idea with it hurting so badly, she replied, "I can't go back to sleep."
Al Sah-him didn't say anything more. If his body was sore and stiff from having her weight on him all night in the cramped space, he didn't allude to it. He stayed exactly as he was. Felicity felt the lightest caress of his hand against her back as the other tangled in her curls.
She let out a soft sigh. "What happens now?"
"I'll go down to the dungeon this morning and have a little chat with your captors. If my men did their jobs correctly, they should've broken them by now," Al Sah-him stated. The barely veiled anger in his voice was a stark contrast to his gentle touch. "But first I need you to tell me what happened."
"Okay." Although having to recount it brought on a new wave of anxiety, Felicity knew that it might be good to get it out instead of letting it fester inside of her. Al Sah-him also had to know the truth if he was going to effectively chat, which she knew was his tactful way of saying interrogate, with her captors himself and get the information he needed.
Felicity felt Al Sah-him shift beneath her before bringing them up to a sitting position. He placed Felicity next to him on the couch. Instantly feeling the loss of his embrace, Felicity shivered. Al Sah-him put the blanket around her and stayed relatively close. "Start with the offer Talia gave you," he instructed, sounding remarkably neutral about a topic that she knew must be upsetting him.
Not holding back, Felicity told him about that day in the library when Talia first approached her. She explained the offer and Talia's jabs about how she'd still been sleeping with Al Sah-him since their wedding. When Al Sah-him didn't refute the claim, Felicity felt an unexpected pang in her gut but pressed on. She told him about blackmailing the guards and following him down to the dungeons to find Tommy.
Once she got to what happened last night, Felicity faltered for a moment. Al Sah-him placed his hand on her back and waited for her to continue. She found that, once again, his touch helped to ground her. Felicity's words came out in a rush as she described the incident with Al Torr. Again, Al Sah-him was silent but it was obvious he was hanging on to her every word. His body was still yet coiled.
Felicity described Tommy's efforts to help her and how she fought back when Al Torr did try to overpower her a second time. There was a hint of pride in Al Sah-him's gaze when she recounted how she'd gotten hold of the dagger and stabbed Al Torr to save herself. There wasn't too much to tell after that when the other abductors had come for her, since she was unconscious most of the time. Al Sah-him already knew how everything had played out in the catacombs, though he asked her to describe it anyway.
There was a minute feeling of relief when Felicity was finally finished. She watched Al Sah-him closely, waiting for his reaction once he'd processed everything. He seemed to be doing the same to her. It was an intense staring contest before Felicity asked the question that had been plaguing her, "How were you able to track me last night?"
"Nyssa told me when I'd returned that you were in the dungeons with Tommy," Al Sah-him stated, the edge in his tone subtle but there. "I found Al Saffah dead. The way he'd been killed was messy—like the person who did it was untrained."
"Someone like me," Felicity surmised.
Al Sah-him nodded and continued, "Then I noticed the second set of bloodstains they'd tried to clean up. I know now that was Al Torr, but at the time I was worried it was you. It was done quickly, knowing they didn't have much time until they'd be discovered. It's why they'd left Tommy behind. They must've thought with his injuries that Al Torr had killed him, so they'd left him there to be disposed of later. No one would've cared to check on him. When I found him, he was weak but lucid enough to tell me the gist of what happened and who you thought was behind it. He mentioned Talia by name. And since I know how Talia thinks, I knew the catacombs was the route she'd have them use to smuggle you out."
"But you said the catacombs can be really confusing. How did you know which way they'd take me—"
"I was the one who taught Talia about the catacombs years ago. It wasn't difficult to discern her strategy, but I knew I was on the right track when I saw some spots of blood along the path. I ordered my men to take alternate routes just in case and decided to track you on my own so as not to alert your captors I was on to them. They can get desperate when cornered, which is why the knife was held to your throat when I chose to reveal myself."
Felicity lifted a hand to the cut he mentioned. She'd probably have a scar and fought off the queasy feeling it brought on. The last thing she wanted was a constant reminder of the ordeal staring her in the face every day. But she didn't say that to Al Sah-him.
"Not that I'm complaining, but I thought you'd leave that woman alive. You could've probably gotten more information out of her."
With an adamant shake of his head, Al Sah-him took her hand and replied, "Felicity, she had you and she was going to hurt you. There was no choice to make." She squeezed it back, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile before standing and walking to the door. Felicity knew he wasn't going anywhere shirtless and in his pajama pants, so she didn't feel the flutter of panic she'd been getting at the prospect of him leaving her. She overheard him asking for breakfast to be brought to them, along with Sara and Nyssa.
At her questioning look afterward, he said, "They're going to stay with you while I'm away. We have an audience with Ra's later, and they can help you get ready. Unless you'd prefer some time to yourself."
So much for not feeling panicked. She inquired nervously, "Why are we meeting with Ra's?"
"This incident is too serious to go unacknowledged. We will meet with Ra's to discuss retribution against both Talia and your attackers."
"Ra's will never punish Talia. She's his favorite."
"You're my wife. You outrank her, and she conspired to have you killed. It's treason. She also threatened Ra's truce with your father. She won't get away with it this time, of that I'll make sure," he finished with a growl. His earlier façade was wearing thin. She could see that the beast he'd been caging on her behalf was no longer willing to remain silent. Warith al Ghul was taking over as he mentally prepared to go interrogate her abductors.
Confused and unable to squelch her inquisitiveness, Felicity called after him, "You'll get no objection from me, but I thought she was your lover."
Al Sah-him paused on his way to the bathroom and looked over his shoulder. "That conversation will have to wait until later, shamsi. But as you learned last night, never assume you know the full story about anything that goes on here."
The bruises were as bad as Felicity had thought. It had been a shock looking at her face in the mirror for the first time. Most of the swelling had gone down from the second ice pack she'd used this morning, but the dark discolorations remained. Against her light skin, they were glaring. She felt a weight in her chest and had to look away. Al Sah-him had gotten her settled before he left, and now she knew why that last look at her face had his eyes turning dark and hard. If those men lasted the night, then he was now going to make them wish they were dead. Felicity didn't pity them in the least.
Before Al Sah-him left, Sara and Nyssa had come to join her. He'd been speaking to them both in Arabic but mostly addressed Sara. Felicity instantly sensed the tension between Nyssa and Al Sah-him, which surprised her because she knew them to be allies. Although she attempted to listen in on the conversation, Felicity only managed to catch bits and pieces of the conversation—enough to discern that Sara and Nyssa might've had a hand in the questioning the perpetrators last night. She'd also heard Talia's name mentioned.
After Al Sah-him had left, the first thing Nyssa did was apologize to Felicity. The guilt she wore looked out of place on her face. The brunette clearly felt terrible that something had happened to Felicity while she was charged with protecting her. Felicity wondered if the tension between Nyssa and Al Sah-him was because he thought her responsible, too. Felicity, nevertheless, made it clear to Nyssa that she didn't blame her for her sister's scheme. When Nyssa insisted, Felicity accepted the apology to give the woman peace of mind. Nyssa didn't say anything more about it, but Felicity got the feeling the brunette wouldn't be so quick to forgive herself.
Sara made sure that Felicity ate the food that was brought up. Felicity hadn't wanted to but quickly realized how starving she was after taking the first bite. Neither woman had peppered her with questions, and Felicity hadn't felt the need to ask either. The pair had helped Felicity get ready afterward. She'd picked out a black dress that was plainer than the others in her wardrobe. Enough attention was going to be on her today without adding any bright colors into the mix. It matched her mood more, too.
Sara and Nyssa advised that she not try and hide any of her visible injuries. They needed to be on full display when meeting with Ra's. While Nyssa had put Felicity's hair up in an elaborate bun, Sara had worked on her makeup. It was minimal, and nothing was used to cover her bruises. Felicity didn't know when exactly she was supposed to go before Ra's, and so she was even more on edge as the time passed. The pair had stayed with her a while longer before Felicity asked for some time to herself. Although Felicity appreciated their support, she was still processing everything that happened in her own mind. She needed time to regroup and think about how to best present the incident to Ra's, since there was no telling how he would react.
Still exhausted from the ordeal, Felicity had been dozing off on the couch when the bedroom door finally opened. Al Sah-him entered looking strung even tighter than when he'd left. The moment he saw her, his expression softened. Felicity stood to greet him.
"What happened? What did they say?" she questioned anxiously.
"Only one was willing to talk, and what he had to offer wasn't much. He didn't implicate Talia directly."
"What about Al Torr? He mentioned her and—"
"He's dead, Felicity," Al Sah-him interjected.
Felicity inhaled sharply. "Because of me?" When he didn't answer, the relief and guilt hit her at once. Al Sah-him, picking up on her internal struggle, placed his hands on her shoulders. He stooped to capture her gaze and held it. "You didn't do anything wrong, shamsi. You were fighting for your life."
She nodded silently. He was right, because it was self-defense. But taking a life wasn't something Felicity had ever wanted to do—not after growing up and seeing such violence in H.I.V.E.
"It may not seem like it now but what you did was a mercy," Al Sah-him pressed on. "If you'd have left him alive, I would've made him beg for death."
It was then that Felicity noticed the state of Al Sah-him's hands. They were red and cut in some areas. It looked as if he'd put his fists through the wall, but Felicity knew better. Al Sah-him's threat was not empty. He'd laid into her attackers exactly as he'd promised.
"What happens now?"
"Now that I've conducted my own interrogation, Ra's is expecting us in the throne room. He wants to review everything that happened before bringing the culprits to justice."
"And Talia?
"I've had her confined to her room since last night. She has much to answer for," Al Sah-him answered, "but she'll put up a fight. She's going to try and turn this back on you."
"How?" Felicity demanded.
When Al Sah-him paused, Felicity knew to expect the worst. "She and the others are accusing you of improper conduct with Tommy. They're trying to paint you as a scheming adulteress."
"What?" the blonde exclaimed. "But he's a prisoner. It makes no sense."
"Your frequent visits with him have caused suspicion."
"He's in a cell," Felicity pointed out, unable to believe what she was hearing. "It's not like I could get inside to do anything that would warrant such an accusation."
"It doesn't take much," Al Sah-him explained and folded his arms. "This was one of my concerns when I first warned you to stay away from him." He didn't say it, but Felicity detected the tone of "I told you so" in his voice.
"And what do I have to gain from an 'affair'"—she made air quotes—"with Tommy?"
"They'll say whatever they can. That you were allying with another enemy of the League. That you know he has money and thought he could help you if you did escape—"
"Then I would've had him escape with me," Felicity interjected.
Al Sah-him pressed on, "That you were never pure to begin with, and this is simply your nature."
The blonde shook her head in exasperation and went to rub her neck out of habit. She nearly yelped, forgetting the tender cut there. Angry tears stung her eyes. Even when she was the victim, these people still found ways to vilify her. "I didn't have an agenda. I just needed someone to talk to," Felicity mumbled.
"I know that."
"Do you?" she quietly challenged. "Because you didn't have the best reaction either when you first found out."
"My initial reaction had nothing to do with politics." He paused and then revealed, "I was irritated because I was…jealous." His voice faltered over the word, as if he was choking on it.
Felicity's head snapped up at that, and she stared at him in bewilderment. It was one of the only times he wouldn't meet her eyes. Of all the things for him to admit, she had not been expecting that. Her heart skipped a beat, and this time it wasn't from the growing anxiety in her chest. "Why?" she breathed.
"Later," Al Sah-him told her and dismissed the topic. "Right now we need to get through this audience with Ra's and secure your defense."
It was difficult getting her mind back to the subject at hand after being blindsided from his statement, but Felicity forced herself to focus."Why does this sound more like a trial than a meeting?"
"It's not a formal trial, but Ra's is like a judge. And I found a way to absolve you of this."
"What is it?" Al Sah-him quickly explained the plan to her, and she had to admit that it was good. There was only one issue she had with it. "Tommy is going to be hurt when he thinks I used him. It seems like a crappy way to repay him after he helped save me."
"Tommy knows the plan, and he's agreed to play along when the time comes."
"You talked to Tommy about this?" Felicity's eyes widened in surprise. How she wished she could've witnessed that conversation. The mere fact that Tommy was not only still alive but a part of the plan meant that it couldn't have been that bad. She casually pointed out, "It would've been more believable if you hadn't told him at all. He probably never would've spoken to me again."
Understanding the true meaning behind her statement, Al Sah-him replied, "Like you said, he helped me find you. I'm not spiteful to those who have proven their loyalty. Sharing the truth in return makes us even."
Felicity quietly observed Al Sah-him. He could've so easily let Tommy believe the lie and sabotaged the friendship that had formed between them, but he hadn't. Although Talia was her enemy and had fed her numerous lies, she did get one thing right in Felicity's mind: Al Sah-him was honorable.
"Ra's doesn't like to be kept waiting. We need to go," Al Sah-him informed her. "I know you're going to hate this, but you can't speak unless spoken to. And the more vulnerable you can look, the more it will work in your favor."
Felicity was about to protest when she remembered Nyssa's advice from the other day. Nyssa's mother was strong but had survived so long in the League by learning to play the game. As much as she hated it, Felicity had to do the same now. "Okay."
"You ready?"
"I think so but…" she faltered when she felt the tremor in her hands. "Al Sah-him, I'm scared." It wasn't just facing Ra's that frightened her. She was worried about seeing Talia and her attackers again. She was worried that somehow she wouldn't be believed and end up being the one punished.
"I know, shamsi," he murmured and caressed her non-injured cheek. "But I'll be standing with you the entire time. I will get you justice." He held out his hand for her to take. "Trust me."
He might as well have been asking the world of her. Trust was not something that had come easily to Felicity for most of her life, nor was it freely given. Despite the horror of the previous night, Felicity was surprised to find herself wanting to take that step with Al Sah-him. She was weary and sick of only having to rely on herself all of the time. She wanted to believe the promise in Al Sah-him's eyes. She wanted to believe that he'd protect her exactly as he had last night when she'd sought solace in his arms.
Felicity placed her hand in his and let him draw her to his side. He intertwined their fingers before opening the door so they could venture out together. The contingent of guards outside immediately stood at attention. Al Sah-him's public mask was back on, and he gave his men a stern look while motioning for them to get in formation. They formed a protective circle around them that never once broke as they moved forward.
The route that Al Sah-him took to the throne room was not the main corridor. Felicity was relieved because saying she felt self-conscious about her appearance would be an understatement. The few people they did pass on the way knew enough to quickly kneel, but Felicity saw them peeking up from the corner of her eye. Normally she would hold her head up high to show that she wasn't bothered. Since she had a cut across her throat, that didn't seem like the answer this time around. Instead, Felicity hovered close to Al Sah-him and kept her head tilted toward the floor.
The relief of reaching the throne room lasted only for a moment before the reality of what awaited them beyond the double doors hit her all over again. She felt Al Sah-him squeeze her hand and glanced up at him. Everything about his demeanor gave off an air of severity and authority. His eyes, however, were open and reassuring. Felicity took a breath and nodded silently.
The doors opened seconds later to reveal Ra's sitting on his throne. He'd been chatting with Sarab before he looked in their direction. Nothing about his appearance gave the impression that he was affected by their arrival. His expression remained neutral and his body at ease and upright. At the bottom of the dais, a short, balding man sat at a small table with a pen and parchment. He started scribbling away as soon as they entered the room. A group of Ra's advisors were on the left. Nyssa and Sara were among them. Unlike earlier, their faces were not filled with kindness or sympathy. They were stern and blank.
Although they were an intimidating bunch, it was the individual on the right that had Felicity instantly tensing. Talia stood with her chin raised and a haughty expression on her face. Another man stood a couple of feet from her, and it took a moment for Felicity to recognize him, too, as Tommy. His hair had been cut and his beard shaved. He must've bathed, because his skin was free of dirt and his clothes clean. Tommy's own bruises were more pronounced with his fresh appearance and he was standing awkwardly, most likely from his injury, but he looked like the handsome man she'd seen gracing the cover of the Starling City Journal each week. A set of guards stood behind them.
Felicity quickly turned away and faced Ra's. They stopped a few feet from the dais, and she followed Al Sah-him into a kneel. She kept her head bowed. A tense moment of silence passed. A tremor ran through Felicity, and she fought to keep calm. Feeling lightheaded, Felicity thought if it weren't for Al Sah-him's hand keeping her grounded she might've toppled over. Finally, they were instructed to stand.
It was Al Sah-him who broke the silence. His voice was strong and unwavering. "Ra's al Ghul, I come before you seeking retribution for the crimes committed against my wife, Abad-eshams. An attack against her is a direct assault against myself and my honor as Warith al Ghul. It is, therefore, an act of treason and I request that the perpetrators face your swift and unyielding justice."
The room remained quiet as Ra's got up from his throne. "Bring her forward."
Al Sah-him tugged Felicity in front of him and placed his hands on her shoulders. He then guided her to the bottom of the dais, where Ra's met them. The older man took hold of her face and lifted it so he could examine her. Felicity's instinct was to pull away and chastise him for touching her without asking. It reminded Felicity of the night her father had brought her to this very room to be examined in almost the exact same way by the men surrounding her. She wasn't treated like a person but property. The tremor of anxiety quickly turned to fury, yet she kept her expression submissive.
Finally, Ra's declared, "The reports of your injuries were not an exaggeration." He touched the bruised side of her face, and she instinctively flinched. A lump formed in her throat when he traced the line across it. Felicity buried her hands in the folds of her dress to hide the fists they made. The only indication that Al Sah-him didn't like Ra's touching her either was the tiniest tightening of his grip on her shoulders.
Ra's eventually released her and returned to his throne. Meanwhile, the man at the table continued to scribble away. He must be some kind of record keeper. Al Sah-him directed her back to their previous spot but instead of taking her hand, he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her into his side.
"I have heard various accounts of the incident. Before we proceed, I should like to hear your version, Abad-eshams," Ra's ordered.
Softly clearing her throat, Felicity started to explain Al Torr's appearance in the dungeon. It helped that she'd already told it to Al Sah-him that morning. Although she was uncomfortable reciting it in front of a room full of people, she felt more in control of her emotions this time around.
Felicity didn't get very far when Ra's interrupted, "No, I wish for you to begin with the proposition my daughter Talia had supposedly made to you."
"She approached me in the library one evening," Felicity began, "and said that she would help me leave and disappear."
"When was this?"
"A little over a week ago."
"Where did she offer to take you?"
"She did not say. Just somewhere I wouldn't be found by the League."
"And did you reject this offer?" he continued to question.
"No. Talia made it clear what would happen if I didn't accept. So I told her I needed time to consider it." It was a version of the truth. The only way Talia could refute it is if she confessed to making the offer to begin with, and Felicity doubted she would admit such a thing.
"You feared for your life," Ra's concluded.
This time, she held his gaze. "Yes."
He scrutinized her with his dark, calculating eyes. "Then why did you not tell your husband immediately?"
"I trusted the guards that Al Sah-him assigned to me to keep me safe. I did not have a reason to doubt their effectiveness."
"But you still did not alert your husband," Ra's pressed, not letting up. "Such an omission seems odd if you were not legitimately considering it."
"There is already a lot of tension and accusations going around about our union.," Felicity explained. "Your own daughter called the alliance ridiculous and expressed her anger over the broken betrothal to Al Sah-him. I didn't want to make it worse by saying anything, and so I tried to forget it."
Ra's, not acknowledging her last statement, ordered her to describe the events of last night. Felicity started to retell it and was interrupted when Ra's needed clarification on certain details. His focus yet again was on Felicity's insistence that it was Talia who'd orchestrated it.
"Did Al Torr mention my daughter by name?"
"I told him that I knew Talia sent him, and he did not deny it."
"Denial is not a confirmation either," Ra's proclaimed. "He could have been caught up in the moment. Al Torr is a known rival to Al Sah-him, and it is just as likely he was acting in retaliation."
"Sidi, when I confronted her abductors they mentioned that their motive was preventing Abad-eshams from being part of the Demon's Head bloodline."
"Talia cannot control fanatical members of the League who decide to take matters into their own hands."
Felicity opened her mouth to protest, but Al Sah-him beat her to it. "With all due respect, Talia tried to assassinate my bride-to-be before the wedding and Abad-eshams was attacked when she did not accept her offer. If I had not returned home early and tracked Abad-eshams's abductors—in tunnels I personally taught Talia how to navigate—she probably would have been killed.
"Al Torr may have been a rival, but he was never one for strategy. Organizing a plot like this is beyond his capability, and he would have nothing to gain from sabotaging the treaty with Darhk—unless he was bribed and promised something significant in return. Al Subati revealed as much in his interrogation and said Al Torr was not the architect of this plot. He did not have direct contact with the person but saw both Al Torr and Al I'sar speaking with her on separate occasions. It can't be a coincidence."
"Al Torr is dead, and Al I'sar has made no such confession. Without direct proof, this is mere speculation." Ra's turned and addressed Talia. "You have heard the claims made against you, daughter. What do you say to this?"
Talia approached the dais and came to stand almost at Al Sah-him's side. The proximity made Felicity frown at the sheer nerve the young woman displayed even now. "I will not lie to you, Father, and say that I was happy to watch my betrothed marry the daughter of our enemy," Talia innocently stated. "It should have been my wedding, but I understand the position you have been put in to bring about peace. I also care about peace within the League. It is why I cannot stand by and let your heir and our future ruler be duped by a liar and a temptress, especially at the expense of my own reputation."
"How so?"
Despite knowing what was coming, Felicity's entire body was on edge. Her hand fisted in Al Sah-him's jacket.
"There have been rumors that Abad-eshams has been spending most of her time in the dungeon with your prisoner, the son of Al Sa-her. Not only is it odd for a woman of her station, but my sources tell me that they have grown close. They have had inappropriate contact, and the fact that she was found in the dungeon with him when she was attacked proves what I say to be true. Abad-eshams is a zaniyah. She has shamed her husband and is looking to place blame on me to hide from the consequences of her own transgressions."
"That is a very serious charge, daughter," Ra's gravely proclaimed.
Shaking with ire, Felicity glanced between the two. Their communication was silent but still spoke volumes. It seemed as if Ra's was inclined to believe her, which he would of course do since she was his prized demon spawn. This was exactly what Felicity had feared. Instead of being respected and heard as Warith al Ghul's wife, she was demeaned and ignored for her outsider origins.
"I was not having an affair," Felicity spoke up, unable to remain silent any longer.
Talia eyed Felicity contemptuously. "Then perhaps if you had behaved as a wife and not as a woman of loose morals, you would not have been attacked."
"I was attacked, because I am a wife," she argued. "You have made veiled threats at every turn and when I didn't fall for your latest scheme, you couldn't stand it and purposefully retaliated last night because you knew your window of opportunity was about to close. You wouldn't have dared tried this when Al Sah-him was here."
"What kind of wife spends her time in a dirty dungeon with a prisoner, who also happens to be the son of a traitor?" Talia countered. "I would not be surprised if you made up the rape charge and killed Al Torr to throw suspicion off of yourself. Your father was once a member of the League. He could've told you about the catacombs and—"
"That's enough, Talia," Al Sah-him harshly interrupted. He released Felicity and moved so he was in front of her. His stance looked as if he was ready to do battle. Judging by his barely concealed fury, he probably was. "I have given you time to come to terms with our broken engagement, but I will no longer tolerate your false accusations and disrespect towards my wife."
"She is the one—"
"Silence," he growled. "I am speaking and will hear no more of your lies. My wife is covered head to toe in bruises, because Al Torr tried to force himself on her. If it weren't for her bravery and the dagger I'd given her for protection, she would not be at my side now. If I had not come home early to surprise her, she also would've been abducted and most likely killed. As for the charges of adultery being brought against her"—Al Sah-him addressed Ra's—"those are also false. I've been interrogating Merlyn for weeks now trying to get a clue as to Al Sa-her's whereabouts, but he has revealed nothing. Since he and my wife lived in the same city and have similar backgrounds, I decided to try another approach and requested that she talk and get close to him. Abad-eshams's guards were always present during their meetings, and she has never had access to the inside of his cell. So any rumors of inappropriate conduct are just that: rumors."
"Did your change in strategy prove useful?" Ra's inquired. He fixed his eyes on the prisoner. Tommy was glaring back, even letting his disapproving eyes gloss over Felicity for a moment before looking away. If Al Sah-him hadn't informed her that Tommy was in on the plan, she actually would've believed that he thought she'd double-crossed him.
"I can now report with certainty that Merlyn does not know the location of his father," Al Sah-him stated. "But he can still prove useful. Given that he tried to defend her from Al Torr and was the one to alert me to her abduction, I've decided to reward him by inducting him into the League." Murmurs from the advisors followed Al Sah-him's announcement. Even Felicity found herself shocked. Al Sah-him hadn't mentioned this detail to her earlier. "If this news can be leaked to certain circles, then as a bonus we may be able to draw Al Sa-her out of the shadows and directly to us."
Ra's sat back on his throne, ruminating over this revelation. Slowly a smile, which Felicity thought looked rather devious, formed on his face. "Clever...you have once again proven, Al Sah-him, that I made the right choice in choosing you as my heir." Al Sah-him bowed his head in thanks. "And since I know you so well, I have no doubt you already have a punishment in mind for the traitors who acted against your wife. You may state your wishes plainly."
Al Sah-him didn't hesitate. "I want the remaining prisoners to be publicly executed in front of the League, and all four of the bodies strung up for everyone to see. No one will dare touch what is mine again unless they want to suffer the same swift and painful fate."
Ra's stared back a him, no doubt pleased with the brutality he was suggesting. "By my power as Ra's al Ghul, I declare that your will shall be done." Ra's snapped his fingers and ordered Sarab to make preparations. "And what is your intent for my daughter? Although you have caught Abad-eshams's abductors in the act, there is still no concrete evidence to prove that Talia was involved."
Despite the diplomatic tenor of his voice, Ra's question was loaded. Al Sah-him would have to tread carefully. Returning to her side, Al Sah-him took her hand. "My wife told me of Talia's threat. I believe her, which legitimatizes Abad-eshams's account. The first attempt on her life, which went unacknowledged, was also confirmed and witnessed firsthand by both Nyssa and Ta-er al-Asfe. I do not want to worry about a third and have to explain to Darhk when he visits in a couple of months why we can't seem to honor our part of the truce," he explained. Felicity's head whipped in his direction at the news her father would soon be visiting. That was the first she'd heard of it. Al Sah-him pressed on, "But since Talia is your daughter, I leave her fate up to you and your wise judgment, Sidi."
Felicity watched Ra's closely as he deliberated. Finally, he turned to his daughter and proclaimed, "Talia al Ghul, you shall receive twenty lashes. Ten for the first attempt and another ten to discourage any more in the future. You shall also spend the two months until Eid Al Ta'sees confined to your quarters."
Talia was outraged. "But, father—"
"That is my decision, and you will obey," Ra's declared and then ordered his guards to force her to kneel before the dais. Talia struggled at first before going still. She looked at Al Sah-him and Felicity, her eyes brimming with scorn. "Bring forth my whip."
Ra's uncoiled the long, leather whip and took his position. If any of the concern he'd exhibited for his daughter moments before still existed, he didn't show it. His face was wiped clean of emotion. In one quick, precise motion, he drew his arm back and snapped the whip. It cracked loudly across Talia's back. The brunette hunched over in reaction as the guards supported her.
Ra's did it again and again. Each one seemed worse than the last, especially when it broke through the cloth of her dress and hit bare skin. The screams she'd been muffling could no longer be held in and echoed off of the stone walls. The satisfaction Felicity thought she'd feel seeing Talia suffer never came. In fact, watching Ra's lay into his daughter so brutally made Felicity sick to her stomach. How could he be so worried about her one minute and then be her tormentor the next? It made her think about her own father, who'd claimed to protect her all these years only to serve her up on a platter to such a monster when it benefited him. Felicity turned her head into Al Sah-him's chest and closed her eyes. She couldn't stand to watch any more.
Felicity sat at her vanity combing her hair and humming a song her mother used to sing to her when she was little. The drums that shook the entire compound had stopped hours ago, but Felicity could still hear them beating in her head. The doors to her balcony were now shut, but she could still picture the platform that had been set up outside at the entrance of the compound. The entire League had been assembled there earlier this evening to watch Al Sah-him execute her abductors. Since the bodies were supposed to be strung up, she would keep the doors shut for the rest of the night. Felicity had not attended, nor did she want to see the display afterward. She'd seen and experienced enough violence within the last twenty-four hours.
Ra's whipping his own daughter into submission had been running through her mind all evening, too. Felicity had yet to get over the shock that he'd delivered any punishment at all. She supposed it was Al Sah-him's clever way of stroking Ra's ego while reminding him of the truce with Felicity's father that had ultimately persuaded him and forced his hand. Similar to Ra's, Al Sah-him hadn't shown any emotion either during the harsh display. He'd remained straight-faced and stoic the entire time, though he'd discretely run his fingers along Felicity's lower back when it became too much for her.
Felicity glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost midnight. She was exhausted but knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until Al Sah-him returned to the room. He was still off dealing with the fallout. Like the previous night, Felicity felt restless and on edge when she was alone. She'd tried to keep busy. Most of the night was spent sitting by the fire reading while icing her injuries. She didn't want the swelling to return.
Finally, the door opened and she turned around to see Al Sah-him enter. There were shadows under his eyes, the only sign of his tiredness, but he continued to move easily and with purpose when he approached. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore but okay," Felicity answered, studying him.
"I thought you'd be asleep."
"Can't." She pointed to her head and said awkwardly, "Too much going on in here. How is everything out there?"
"It's quiet for now. I think our earlier display sent a strong message to the League."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"We'll still have to be on our guard, but at least Talia shouldn't be causing any more trouble with her confined to her room."
Felicity, biting her lip and fiddling with her hands, turned fully in her seat. Her cheeks warmed when she noticed Al Sah-him taking in her appearance. She'd worn her favorite silk nightgown, and the slit up the side had revealed part of her thigh. His eyes darkened but not with the admiration she was used to from him. He'd honed in on her bruises, causing his fists to tighten at his sides.
Quickly, Felicity stood up so that she was once again covered. She approached him and tentatively put a hand on his chest. Some of his tension eased. "I didn't get a chance to thank you for everything you did today. You said you would stand by me and you did."
"I told you, shamsi, that you can trust me." He took off his weapons belt and started to undo his jacket, causing her hand to fall.
"I know that now," she murmured, trying not to stare at the way his black t-shirt clung to his taut body. A body that had offered her safety and comfort ever since last night. Her fingers itched to touch him again, but Felicity held herself back. Their eyes connected for a silent moment.
"If you can't sleep, there's something I'd like to show you."
"Okay."
"It's not in here. You'll need your shoes and a robe."
Felicity paused, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of having to walk through the compound in her state. It was hard enough letting anyone see her when she was made up earlier. "If we're going to leave the room, then maybe I should get dressed—"
Picking up on her unease, Al Sah-him reassured her, "I'm not taking you through the main corridor. No one will see you."
"Where exactly are we going?"
"You wanted to know where I disappear to some nights. It's better if I show you. Unless you don't feel up to it right now."
Thankfully, Felicity's curiosity was stronger than her anxiety. "I'll get my robe," she declared and was ready within moments. Taking his offered hand, she let Al Sah-him guide her down the hall while their guards stayed behind. He reached behind a potted plant, and a panel next to them popped open. She shouldn't have been surprised that there was more to the compound than met the eye—especially since she'd been in the catacombs last night.
There was a series of twists and turns in the narrow, dimly lit corridor. She stayed close to his side. "How many people know about these passages?"
"These are only for Ra's and his kin."
"You never told me about these before," she pointed out.
"These are also tricky to navigate. I didn't want you in here alone and disappearing on me."
"You don't have to worry about that now," Felicity muttered. While she still craved freedom, she also wouldn't be venturing anywhere alone anytime soon.
Al Sah-him glanced back at her over his shoulder in concern but said nothing. Eventually, they came to a set of stairs and began climbing up. Felicity was slightly out of breath by the time they reached the top. They both crouched to go through a small door. On the other side, Felicity was hit by a cool breeze that made her shiver. She gasped in amazement when she realized where he'd taken her. They were on the roof of the compound, standing on the rim of the giant dome at the very top. The night sky looked so much closer that she actually thought she might be able to reach out and touch the moon and stars. If it was daytime, Felicity was sure she would've been able to see into the desert for miles.
"Oh my God, this is amazing," Felicity whispered and breathed in the fresh air. She'd missed being outside, and her eyes watered unexpectedly from the welcomed sensation.
When Al Sah-him started to lead her along the edge, which was only blocked off by a low stone railing, she tugged on his arm. "I should probably tell you that I'm afraid of heights. Not that I want to leave, because I don't," she was quick to clarify. "I just don't want to trip and plummet to my death."
"You won't," he promised. "We're just moving to the middle. Hold on to me, and you'll be fine. I've got you."
Felicity clung to Al Sah-him's arm as they slowly moved toward the center. He helped her settle down next to him, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't seem as steep when she was sitting down.
"How did you find this place?"
"It was by accident when I was a kid. Found a secret passage and got turned around. I was curious when I saw the stairs and decided to keep exploring. I ended up out here, and I've been coming back ever since. Not what you expected, right?" he said knowingly
"No," Felicity admitted.
"It's the only place I can be alone and think," he told her. "It also has the best view of the stars in the compound."
"Do you like to stargaze?"
Al Sah-him was quiet, pensive. Then: "When I was a kid, before the League, my parents had a boat that they would often travel on. My favorite time to sail would be at night. Living in the city, it was difficult to see the stars or anything like that. But on the boat out on the open sea, it was the total opposite. There were so many stars in the sky that I could barely keep count. Felt like I was up in space and—what? Why are you smiling like that?"
Felicity bit her lip, but it was no use hiding her grin. She was pleasantly surprised by this conversation and all the more intrigued that he was sharing something about his past. "No reason. Well, I mean, there's a reason. I, uh, I get what you mean," she rambled. "I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid, and I begged my mother to send me to space camp."
He lifted an eyebrow, intrigued. "How was it?"
Felicity's smile faded. "I, um, never actually got to go. My father wouldn't allow it. It wasn't safe at the time for whatever reason, so I had to stay close to home. Then my mother died shortly after and I...I never brought it up again."
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "How old were you?"
"I was ten."
He nodded, a somber expression forming on his own face. "I wasn't much older than you when I lost both my parents. One night there was a bad storm, and the boat started coming apart and sinking. My father managed to throw me into a life raft before jumping back into the water to find my mother. She was…she was pregnant with my soon-to-be baby sister. But neither of them ever resurfaced. The crew was gone, too. So it was just me drifting for days until someone from the League happened to find me."
Felicity, staring in shock, felt her heart ache for him. She couldn't even imagine the grief he must've felt as a young boy being in that situation. Her own mother's death had nearly destroyed her but to lose his entire family and then find himself completely alone and adrift? He must've been terrified that he'd suffer the same fate. "I'm so sorry," she said. Al Sah-him always seemed so strong and put together that she never would've guessed about his painful past. "I knew you were brought here young, but I didn't know the circumstances. I was under the impression that the League brainwas—trains," she swiftly corrected, "you to forget your past, so I guess I assumed that this was all you ever knew."
"The League does do that," Al Sah-him confirmed, "but I'm stronger than I look."
"You look pretty strong to me already," she mumbled, earning a glance from him.
"I've always remembered. I just don't talk about it."
"Never?"
"Never."
"So why are you telling me?"
"You said last night that you don't get me. That I don't talk to you." Al Sah-him glanced up at the sky and sighed. His body was tense. "I'm not really good at this. Words don't always come easily to me. There was only ever one woman I truly got close to, and even then we didn't really talk like this."
"Talia?" Felicity guessed.
"No," he denied with a resolute shake of his head. "Talia and I were betrothed, but it was never romantic—at least not for me. I accepted it out of obligation as Warith al Ghul and tried to put it off as long as I could, because she was so young."
"So when she told me that the two of you were still sleeping together…" she trailed off.
"I've never once touched her—not that she hasn't tried to tempt me over the years," he grumbled. "I'm well aware of how vicious and manipulative she can be when she wants something. Not exactly the most attractive qualities you want in a lifelong partner."
"You must have other women then. Ra's has a whole harem and—"
"Not here and certainly no one I'm attached to," he declared.
"Oh." Felicity was taken aback by how relieved she felt. "That's, um, good to know. Not that it matters because we're not—well, we are married but it's not real. You were just fulfilling your obligations again, and I had no clue what was going on so…" she trailed off when she noticed the intense way he was looking at her.
"I didn't know much about you either at first. The truce was put together so quickly that I barely had time to process the marriage clause," he explained. "It was what Ra's needed me to do, and so I obeyed his orders as usual. All I knew was your name, age, and that you'd also agreed to it—or so your father told us. Quite frankly, I was dreading that night. I've fought against H.I.V.E. over the years, and I'd heard terrible things about your father. I assumed you would be as bad as him, but you were just the opposite. The moment they brought you in bound and blind, clearly against your will, I was less worried about tolerating you and more worried about making sure you were okay. I expected you to be frightened, which I could see you were, but I didn't expect you to stand up to your father or me and Ra's like you did. We were all dark, dangerous men and yet you didn't back down an inch. I've never seen that."
"'Spirited' is how my father put it," Felicity mumbled and rolled her eyes at her father's sly selling tactics.
"You were brave," Al Sah-him corrected, "fiery, and beautiful—like the sun." He touched a strand of her hair and let it slide through his fingers. "There was just something about you." He held her gaze and murmured, "There's still something about you, shamsi."
A shiver ran through Felicity, but it had nothing to do with the cool breeze. Her heart thundered in her chest as the intensity of his piercing blue eyes drew her in. "I think I might've been wrong about you," she whispered. It was like she was really seeing him for the first time.
"You wouldn't be the first. Not many people know the real me."
"I'd like to." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "Al Sah-him…"
"Oliver."
Felicity frowned. "What?"
"That was my name before I joined the League. My family called me Oliver."
"Oliver," she tried it out and found that it suited him. It rolled easily off of her tongue and was carried away on the soft breeze. Although they spoke quietly, their words seemed loud in the still night. Or maybe it was because they'd taken on a much deeper meaning.
For once, Felicity's overactive mind had gone quiet. She wasn't thinking about the attack or anything that had unfolded today. She wasn't even thinking about tomorrow. Nothing existed beyond the two of them and that moment. She lifted her other hand to cup the side of his jaw and felt the sharpness of his inhale at the gesture. Leaning up, Felicity pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek. It was warm, and his scruff tickled her lips. When she pulled away, she gave him a small smile before wrapping her arms around his bicep and placing her head on his shoulder. They stayed like that for a long time, silent but together as they admired the moon and stars.
Felicity hadn't realized she'd been drifting off to sleep until she felt Al Sah-him move beside her. Since her fatigue was getting to her, he was extra careful in helping her get back to the door. He guided her inside and down the stairs. The walk back to their room felt shorter. She was eager to get into bed but paused when she noticed Al Sah-him moving towards the couch.
Felicity caught his hand and said, "Oliver." He turned abruptly, looking astonished but pleased by her use of his real name. "I never realized how small that couch is." She bit her lip and continued shyly, "You can take the other side of the bed—if you want to."
"You're sure?" His voice was low and deep.
She nodded, trying not to dwell too much on the fact that she was probably blushing in front of him. It was easier talking outside in the dark. In the light of their room, she felt way more vulnerable and self-conscious. But that didn't change the fact that she wanted him close. Felicity knew the nightmares would come eventually and if last night had proven anything, it was that his presence managed to bring her some peace. Also, after everything he'd done for her, the man deserved a decent night's sleep on a good mattress.
"Okay." He squeezed her fingers before heading off to change and get ready for bed.
Felicity removed her robe and threw back the covers. She settled into her side and closed her eyes. Exhaustion crept at the edge of her consciousness, but her body was alert. A few minutes later, Al Sah-him/Oliver came out of the bathroom and blew out the main lamps. He padded over to the bed, and she felt it dip from his weight as he took his side. Despite the small space between them, Felicity felt the heat emanating from him. He was like a living furnace, and she shivered remembering how he'd warmed her.
"Goodnight, Oliver," Felicity whispered and quickly turned over, resisting the urge to close the gap and drape herself over him. So much had changed tonight, and she needed to give herself some time and space to adjust to it all.
"Goodnight, Felicity," he replied.
It was a while before she finally fell asleep. Felicity wasn't wrapped up in anguish like the previous night. Her mind was quiet, but that wasn't enough to keep her body on her side for very long. Slowly and instinctively, Felicity moved closer toward the middle. Eventually, she ended up pressed against the source of heat and comfort she desired. Felicity shifted, sighing, and curled inward toward the strong arms that eagerly awaited her. It was there she stayed the rest of the night.
Translations:
shamsi = my sun
Sidi = Master
Al Subati = The Spade
Al I'sar = The Tempest
zaniyah = adulteress
Al Sa-her = The Magician
Eid Al Ta'sees = Founding Day
A/N: Okay, what did you guys think? Let me know in the reviews. Also, now that it's been revealed Tommy will be inducted into the League, I thought it'd be fun to get you guys involved in the next chapter. I haven't picked out a League name yet for Tommy and am leaving it open to you readers to offer suggestions. You don't have to worry about the Arabic translation. Just give me your suggestions in English, and let's see what awesome titles you can come up with! If you prefer, you can also reach out to me on Twitter or Tumblr. Of course, I'll credit the person who comes up with the one I ultimately pick. Happy brainstorming!