Hello, lovely readers, and Happy Halloween! This update is pure treat! I'm so excited to be posting a new chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Lots of goodies in store and some exciting new developments in the plot. Let me know what you think! :)

Chapter 17: The Dragon

An intense yet comforting heat surrounded her. That was the first sensation Felicity recognized as she slowly awakened. She'd been in a deep, peaceful sleep. Part of her mind didn't want to wake up; she was still so tired. Her body, however, stirred. It was an odd sensation; every square inch of her hummed with energy even as certain muscles ached. It was a good ache, though—the type you get after exercising muscles you either didn't know you had or forgot altogether.

Why was she so sore?

Felicity's foggy mind thought back to the night before. She'd celebrated Eid Al Ta'sees like everyone else and spent most of the night dancing. It had been so fun and, for a time, Felicity had felt included. That had been a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the business with her father had interrupted her merriment.

She huffed at the memory of their conversation before casting it from her mind. She felt too content right now to let her father's manipulation and misplaced anger upset her. Having said her piece, there was nothing more to dwell on. Her father was no longer a menacing figure in her life. They were done, and it was wonderfully freeing.

The best part was that Felicity wasn't alone anymore. Despite being stuck in the League, she'd made new family and friends who actually loved and respected her. Felicity hadn't felt such total support and inclusion since, well…ever. Thinking of love, her skin tingled, and the delightful sensation spread all the way down to her toes. Oliver had told her he loved her last night. It'd been in Arabic, but that didn't change the meaning or significance of the words. The emotions they sparked were only heightened in the throes of passion.

And there had been plenty of passion. Not to mention heat, pleasure, and possession as she completely gave herself over to her husband. He, in turn, held nothing back from her either. The way Oliver touched and kissed her while they were joined was similar to a thirsty man in the desert finding an oasis. He'd taken refuge in her, driving her to the brink, while making her feel completely desired and adored. Felicity never knew lovemaking could feel like that—and the two additional sessions that followed confirmed it. She blushed replaying it over in her head.

The tingling in her body intensified. In fact, it felt concentrated on her back. A shiver went up her spine as she became fully awake. Felicity quickly realized the sensation wasn't just a remnant of last night. Oliver's light but hypnotizing touch called to her even now.

"Shamsi, are you awake?" he whispered.

Enjoying the sensation, she kept her eyes shut and muttered an unintelligible confirmation into her pillow.

Oliver chuckled next to her. His body was almost on top of her, and she recognized it as the incredible source of heat. The man was a living furnace. His fingers continued their path up and down her back, tracing invisible patterns. When his lips joined in, mouthing tender kisses from her shoulder down to the curve of her spine, she couldn't stop another garbled moan from escaping.

"You're blushing, wife," Oliver commented. "I would've thought after last night, there'd be no more need for that." The teasing was evident in his voice.

"If anything, what we did last night should've permanently turned me into a tomato." Her eyes finally popped open and she happily murmured, "But I think you love it, husband."

His smile lit up his entire face. "I do."

"I'm glad you're here."

He frowned slightly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you're Warith al Ghul. You're usually dressed and out the door by now to attend to League business."

Oliver buried his hand in her hair and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I have more important business to attend to today." He trailed kisses down her cheek and nose before honing in on her lips once again.

Felicity moaned into his mouth and turned so her body could press fully against his. That earned her a low, sexy growl from her husband.

"I would never leave you to wake up alone after our first true night as husband and wife," he murmured.

"Good, because it's Saturday and I have no intention of getting out of this bed," she said while caressing his scruffy cheek.

"Me neither," Oliver agreed while flipping them over. He settled on top of her, and her legs naturally parted for him.

"Is it okay if you stay with me? You won't get in trouble?"

"Unless we're suddenly under a full-fledged attack, I'm not going anywhere." He kissed the crinkle between Felicity's brows and caressed her cheek. "As you said, I'm Warith al Ghul. If I want to take the day off, I can. The League will be late to stir after last night's celebrations. The following day is usually one of rest," he explained. "But even if it weren't, I'd still choose to be here with you, shamsi."

"Good." She gave him a beaming, seductive smile. "Because I was serious last night when I said I wasn't going to let you out of this room so easily." Felicity trailed her fingers along the hard ridges of muscle and circled his lower back. Leaning up, she kissed the underside of his jaw and down his neck.

Oliver's hold on her tightened. "Felicity…" he breathed.

She loved that he was so responsive to her touch. That she could make him feel just as desired and wanton. For the first time in her life, Felicity felt like a fully grown woman in command of her feminine prowess. She mouthed her way along his broad shoulder, nipping just above his collarbone.

His hips shifted, and she felt his hard, protruding length slide along her already slick center. She groaned into his neck and raised her hips to rub against him, adding to the delicious friction. Her insides clenched in anticipation, craving the emptiness be filled once more.

"H-how are you feeling?" Oliver ground out. With his hand in her (probably messy) curls, he guided her face to his and met her stare. "Are you sore from last night?"

"A little bit—in a good way," she breathlessly added.

"Maybe you should rest for a while."

Felicity was already shaking her head. "I don't want rest. I want you, Oliver." She lifted her hips so that he rubbed against her more intimately. A low, almost strangled groan reverberated in his throat.

"I don't want to…overstimulate you if your body needs time to adjust." Despite his protest, Oliver slid his hand up her thigh.

Taking hold of his face, Felicity lifted up to give him a long, deep, and passionate kiss. "I never knew I could feel this way with anyone," she murmured in between kisses. "And now that I've finally experienced it, I can't help but be greedy." Her words ended in a gasp when she felt his fingers circle her entrance before slipping inside.

"I'm a greedy man, too, shamsi," he gritted out. "I'll take everything you want to give me, and I still won't be able to get enough of you."

Felicity whimpered in pleasure from both his words and his ministrations. Her body arched up off the bed when he thrust inside of her and curled his fingers up, hitting a sensitive spot. "O-Oliver," her voice trembled with need. "Make love to me—now." She didn't know where such assertiveness came from, and she didn't really have the sense to be embarrassed by how demanding she sounded. All Felicity could think about was the unfulfilled arousal causing her body to burn.

Oliver removed his fingers, eliciting another mewl—though this time in protest. Felicity couldn't object, however, when she realized he was reaching over on the nightstand for another condom. He put it on in record time, and they both cried out when he finally thrust inside of her.

With her head thrown back, Felicity relished the way he filled her completely. Her body was still getting used to accommodating his impressive length, but she wasn't about to complain. It made every sensation more intense, and it felt like Oliver was touching every single part of her—including deep down in her soul. Felicity had already felt so close to him, but now it was so much more intense. She honestly wondered how she'd lived without this kind of love and intimacy in her life; there was surely no going back.

Felicity clung to him as he moved within her. His thrusts were strong and deep. The pleasure reverberated throughout her body. He drank in her moans with lusty, open-mouthed kisses—their tongues finding a similar rhythm to their lower bodies.

Her fingers searched for purchase on his body. He was all hot skin and hard muscle. She scratched the back of his neck before cupping his head. His short, buzzed hair scraped against her palm. If only he had longer hair for her to tug on; she made a mental note to ask him about it later.

Letting out a loud cry upon a particularly forceful thrust, another random thought occurred to Felicity. "Are the guards outside? Do you think they can hear us?" she blurted out.

Oliver paused and looked down at her. "What?"

"Am I being too loud?" It wasn't something she'd had to worry about. But now that the thought sprang up, she wasn't sure how to feel. She and Oliver were definitely too far gone to stop, and yet she didn't like the idea of their guards being Peeping Toms and listening in on their lovemaking—not that she could erase anything they'd heard the night before either.

"The door is pretty thick but even if it weren't, I don't care." His darkened eyes consumed her. "Let them all hear," he declared with a carnal possession that made her shiver. "In case there's any lingering doubt that I don't worship my wife completely."

His declaration reignited the fire within her, heightening her arousal and need for him. He wanted everyone to know that she was his, and that he cherished her. When they resumed their movements, Felicity did as he said. She didn't hold back or try to muffle her screams as he pounded into her. She chanted his name freely in their erotic frenzy, although she just barely remembered to switch to Al Sah-him just in case they actually could be heard.

Felicity didn't know who this confident, brazen woman was, but she liked her. She wanted everyone to know, too, that she took great pleasure in her husband. Warith al Ghul was hers, and hers alone—the League be damned.

Felicity bit down hard on her lip as her hips ground atop Oliver. She'd lost track of the time—only knowing that it was late based on the darkened sky, glowing moon, and shining stars. Today had not only been the best since joining the League, but probably the best in her entire life. Oliver had made good on his promise, and they'd stayed in bed for hours that morning. When they weren't making love, they dozed off peacefully in each other's arms.

At one point, Felicity's stomach had rumbled in protest, and Oliver asked that brunch be served in their room. She'd barely managed to grab a nightgown and robe before the knock sounded on the door. Although the servants didn't say a word and kept their eyes averted, Felicity noticed them sneaking peeks out of the corner of their eyes.

The sight of the extremely tangled bedsheets combined with Felicity's messy hair and pink-tinged skin must've painted an accurate picture of what she and Al Sah-him had been up to. The embarrassment was short-lived, since she agreed with her husband that they shouldn't hide or be ashamed of the intimacy that had developed from their union.

After brunch—in which she'd eaten way more than was probably considered proper—Oliver suggested that they take a bath. She had yet to use the tub, and he thought the warm water would ease the ache in her muscles. While Oliver focused on filling the tub and adding soothing bath oils, Felicity kept up the romantic mood by lighting a few candles.

The moan she eventually let out when her body was fully submerged was just as loud as the ones Oliver had elicited from her in bed. He'd been right; the warmth seeped into her muscles and her body instantly relaxed. Felicity had leaned into his embrace, settling between his legs and pressing her back to his torso.

The silence that followed was calming; Felicity didn't feel the awkward need to babble endlessly. She was simply content to be wrapped in her husband's arms and enjoying the moment. She sensed the same peace within Oliver. Felicity had dozed off after some time, although she was vaguely aware of Oliver giving her tender kisses every now and then while caressing her skin.

A little while later, she was awakened by Oliver gently washing her hair. Felicity shivered from the way he took great care in lathering the shampoo and rinsing it without spilling it into her eyes. Despite all the touching, they didn't make love—though the intimacy felt just as intense. She repeated the action with Oliver, washing his magnificent body and kneading the knots out of his muscles. If he'd been a cat, he would've been purring from her touch.

They retired back to the bedroom afterward and slept peacefully for several more hours. Their exhaustion from the night before was bone deep, and Felicity had to confess she loved the safe, snug cocoon their bed had become. They woke up in the evening feeling refreshed, and their hunger for each other renewed.

Instead of staying in bed, they decided to get creative and have a change of scenery. They lit the fire pit and laid out a bunch of blankets and pillows on the balcony. Oliver requested their meals once more but didn't let the servants in the room this time. In a silly way, it felt like they were camping without suffering rough terrain and giving up the finer comforts.

Felicity had pointed out a few constellations—proving that had she actually been able to go to space camp, she would've been a top pupil. Halfway through stargazing, she felt Oliver's lips on her neck. He nipped and sucked on her most sensitive spots, causing the stars to all blur together. She could barely remember her name, let alone theirs, when he guided her on top of him.

Straddling his hips, Felicity rubbed her already wet center along his tip. Oliver groaned into her mouth, clutching her tightly as she controlled their movements—teasing him until his fingers dug into her sides. He wanted her, badly, but let her decide the pace. Finally, their foreplay was too much even for her. Once protection was secured, she sunk down on top of him.

Their cries echoed in the night as he filled her—this new position opening her up to him in an entirely new way. Their chests smashed together as she gyrated her hips, finding a slow yet forceful rhythm. Her head fell completely back as he licked and sucked on the base of her neck. The coil in her core tightened as she clutched him between her burning thighs, feeling the power behind his own thrusts that he timed with her descent.

Oliver pulsed within her, molding her to his length, and the pleasure radiated throughout Felicity's entire body. A strangled gasp erupted from her throat when he ventured lower and nipped at her pink, swollen mounds. He devoured her more fiercely than he had his dinner, and she was all too eager to feed his lustful hunger.

Guiding his face back to hers, Felicity kissed him with delirious abandoned. Their tongues tangled and teased. Felicity pressed against him, and Oliver followed her silent request. He lay on his back with her leaning over him, changing the angle.

Felicity had never been in this position before. She felt slightly self-conscious taking full control, but it was also empowering to see Oliver below her. His eyes were as black as the night and shining with ecstasy. Following her primal instinct, Felicity braced her hands on his chest and sat up. She swirled her hips and watched in satisfaction as her husband writhed beneath her. She rode him with purpose while keeping their pace steady, enjoying the slow and sensual buildup between them.

Oliver gripped her backside, pressing her down on him harder while thrusting up. It was the deepest she'd felt him inside of her, and her muscles tightened around him. He'd hit her in just the right spot, and Felicity's eyes closed from the onslaught of sensation. Her entire body trembled with a fierce need for release as the hot tension mounted.

"Shamsi," he chanted while she repeated the action.

"Oliver, I'm so close," she panted.

"Me too," he groaned and slid a hand up the center of her spine. "Come here." He coaxed her forward again and sought her lips.

Their mouths met in a scorching frenzy as their lower bodies chased completion. When Oliver yanked her down forcefully on an upward thrust, it was Felicity's undoing. Her orgasm exploded, and she bared down on him. Her walls tightened around his hardness as she bit his bottom lip and sucked it into her mouth. Oliver grunted loudly, and Felicity felt the moment he let go. His body jerked and his hands squeezed her ass, driving her down on him once more to penetrate her fully.

With a loud cry, Felicity collapsed onto his chest. She fought to catch her breath while her body quivered from the aftershocks. Her limbs were like limp noodles, splayed out and unable to move.

"I know you're a great archer and all," Felicity muttered, "but I think I discovered the real reason you're The Arrow."

"Did I hit the target?" he huskily teased.

"And then some. Bullseye, baby."

His chest rumbled beneath her as he chuckled. "Practice makes perfect." He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her.

"Did I do okay?" she shyly questioned after a few seconds of silence. "Was it good for you too?"

Oliver guided her face up to look at him. "You were amazing. Beautiful and sexy and absolutely perfect," he said in between pecks on her lips. "Staring up at you and the stars above, I honestly forgot where the hell I was for a few minutes."

She grinned in satisfaction. "Good." He moved to get up and her smile quickly shifted to a frown. "Where are you going?"

"Bathroom. I need to…clean up. I'll be right back," he promised.

Although Felicity understood, she begrudgingly let him go. In the meantime, she enjoyed the fresh night air and snacked on the remnants of their dinner. It was like a mini picnic. She reached for her wine and took a few sips while eyeing the sky. As much as she missed city life, Felicity had to admit she had a better nighttime view here in the desert. All those city lights actually blocked out the stars and made it impossible to do any real stargazing.

Oliver soon returned to their heap of blankets and pillows, and she happily climbed back into his arms. He was quiet at first as his fingers traced her skin. Despite all the touching and exploring they'd done today, her husband still looked fascinated—as if he was committing every inch of her to memory. His eyes darkened when he touched her arrow brand. Unlike earlier, it was not a sign of his arousal.

He murmured, "I hate that I let them do this to you."

His comment surprised her, though not the sentiment behind it. "You had to," she replied. "It was part of the initiation, as you said." Felicity would never be okay with the fact that she'd been branded. But she also knew now that Al Sah-him wasn't the one who'd desired she bear his mark. There was no getting around it with Ra's in charge.

"I would've erased it with the Pit water but if the doctor or your seamstresses ever saw it missing—"

"Ra's would know what you did for me," Felicity finished.

"Yeah." He propped himself up on his elbow and placed a kiss on it.

"So, there's no part of you at all that gets turned on by it?" She quickly added, "There's no wrong answer. I won't be offended if you do." Al Sah-him was a kind but also possessive man—especially when it came to her. Although he'd never want her to be hurt, she could understand why it might call to his more primal male instincts.

Oliver shook his head. "No," he declared and kissed it again. "Your beautiful skin shouldn't be scarred on my account."

Felicity stroked his jaw and leaned up kissed him fully. "Thank you."

Her hand trailed down his neck to his chest. It rested over his heart, where a different mark covered his skin. "What about this?" She traced the dark, curved lines of his tattoo. "I've always wondered what this meant. Can you tell me now?"

"It's just a star with an Arabic design."

"Why a star?"

He paused before answering in a thick voice, "It's a reminder of my past."

"Before the League?" she guessed.

Oliver nodded.

"Does it relate to your family?"

"Yes," he confirmed, although it didn't sound like he wanted to elaborate.

Felicity didn't push. She simply kissed the symbol before sliding her hand to the Arabic writing going down the side of his abs. "And this?"

"It's an old saying: 'I suffered, I learned, I changed.' I got it a year after I was first branded. It was when I started to feel fully committed to the League, and Ra's had taken a special interest in me."

"Did that come before or after the star?"

"Before. I got the star when I was older."

She stroked the words a few times before gliding her hand around his waist. She moved up his strong back to his shoulder, where she knew his dragon tattoo resided. "What about this one? Does the dragon symbolize being Warith? Is it like the Demon's Head?"

Oliver shook his head and seemed hesitant to elaborate. His eyes looked haunted as they searched hers. She wasn't sure what he was looking for, but eventually he spoke, "It represents Al Tineen. The Dragon," he translated. "It was…it was the name of the woman I cared for. The one I lost."

"Oh." Felicity hadn't been expecting that and, without thinking, she removed her hand as if she'd been burned. It wasn't that she was necessarily jealous Al Sah-him had a symbol of another woman on his body—especially since it had been there before she came along—but it felt weird to be touching it all the same.

Oliver caught her hand and entwined their fingers. She didn't pull away and made an effort to squeeze back when he rested it between them. "If you want to know about her, I'm ready to tell you. But if you'd prefer not to know that part of my past, then we don't ever have to speak about it."

It was a strange conversation to have when they were lying naked together after just making love. Felicity wasn't sure how she'd feel once Oliver began talking about the woman who'd probably been his first love. But she also wanted the truth.

Although Oliver hadn't told her much before, he had subtly assured her that night on the roof that there was no reason for her to feel threatened by his mystery woman's memory. Besides, he'd listened to her talk about Cooper. To not give him a chance to be honest and open with her would be selfish and immature.

"I want to know." Felicity gave him what she hoped to be an encouraging smile.

He studied her for several more seconds before continuing. "Her real name was Shado. She came to the League a few years before me. I knew very little about her past. Just that her father was a prominent member of the Chinese military, and she was found by the League soon after he and her twin sister were killed. She didn't have a family either and was orphaned."

"Seems to be a common theme," Felicity mumbled. Orphaned children had no connections and craved stability and protection; they'd be easy pickings and ideal candidates for the League to brainwash into becoming assassins.

"She was one of the first people I met when I was brought here. We were the same age, and she was pretty. She had dark brown hair with fair skin and delicate features. I guess my handlers thought she could earn my trust much quicker—which she did. Shado had a kind heart. She was also a great fighter. I think she learned a lot from her dad growing up. Combined with the League's training, she was small but dangerous.

"We trained together, and she kicked my ass a lot that first year," he recounted, smiling at the memory. "She was a skilled archer too. I learned how to shoot from her. I was terrible at first, but I was also a quick study. We kept practicing until I eventually surpassed even her skill. Whenever I was complimented by my instructors or other League members, Shado would be the one to say 'thank you.' She was proud that I'd originally learned from her and would never let me forget it," Oliver chuckled. "She taught me to speak Arabic and Chinese as well."

"Sounds like you owe a lot to her," Felicity said, not unkindly.

"I do," he replied.

"Did you teach her anything?"

Oliver smirked. "How to get in trouble without getting caught. We'd take the good snacks from the kitchen and sneak around the compound, exploring. We accidentally found a door to the catacombs once."

"Ah, so that's how you knew your way around."

"We spent a lot of time down there. Shado didn't have the best sense of direction, and we argued a lot when we got turned around. I was usually right in those instances, by the way." He added softly, "She was my best friend."

Felicity played with his fingers. "When did she become more?"

"We were sixteen. Not too long after I arrived, I'd been chosen to train with Ra's and a few of his pupils. At the time, no one knew he was contemplating naming another heir. He'd always personally trained the men he wanted to serve directly under him, so I thought I'd be a part of his guard or maybe in the position Sarab now holds," Oliver explained. "Anyway, it gave me an edge. I beat Shado pretty easily one day in sparring, and I don't know…we were lying on the floor and something was just different between us."

"She was your first love," Felicity commented.

Oliver murmured while stroking her knuckles, "We were young, so she was my first in a lot of ways. We were together ever since."

"And how long was that?"

"Five years."

Felicity's eyes widened. "That's a long time."

"Yeah. But we always remained friends at our core. I trusted Shado more than anyone, although we both had our secrets. Part of the reason we were so comfortable with each other was that neither of us pushed for more. As I told you before, we didn't have deep conversations. We were both warriors at heart, and the less said the better."

"Did you ever take her up on the roof?"

Oliver shook his head. "No. That was always my private spot. There were many times I just needed to be alone."

"Were Nyssa and Sara friends with Shado? They must've known her, too, right?" she inquired, doing the math.

"They knew her but weren't close with Shado. Nyssa and I weren't on the best terms in those early years either, even though we occasionally trained together. I was eighteen when Ra's formally named me his heir. As you can imagine, Nyssa was furious when that happened. She tolerated me in front of her father, but she resented me and the entire situation," Oliver said. "It took time to earn her trust and show that I wasn't a threat to her. I didn't ask to be named Warith al Ghul; it was thrust upon me. When Ra's asks something of you, there is really only one answer you can give."

"I'm guessing it's not 'no,'" Felicity quipped.

He nodded.

"How did you earn Nyssa's trust?" she curiously asked.

"When she first brought Sara back to Nanda Parbat, I could tell that she'd taken an interest in her. I just didn't know it was something beyond friendship until I accidentally caught them together. I went to collect Sara for training and I walked in on them kissing."

"Oh."

"It was the first time I ever saw real fear flash in Nyssa's eyes. She probably thought I'd tell Ra's or use it to blackmail her into doing my bidding." Oliver's eyes were distant as he recounted the memory. "I never told a soul—not even Shado. That's how I earned Nyssa's trust."

Felicity squeezed his hand. "You're a good man."

Oliver shrugged like it was no big deal, though she could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he was pleased by the compliment. "Unfortunately, Talia had no qualms about not holding her tongue once she discovered them. She was the one who told Ra's, but that's another story entirely."

Unfortunately, that was no surprise to Felicity. Talia was a bitch of epic proportions. Nonetheless, she pressed on, "Speaking of Talia, what did she think of Shado? Or rather, what did Shado think of her? Were you still with Shado after the betrothal?"

"Shado was upset. She'd never voice such an opinion, but she couldn't stand Talia. Even for a fifteen-year-old back then, Talia was a selfish, conniving brat."

Felicity whole-heartedly agreed with that.

"But Shado knew the situation I was in. It was yet another reason why I demanded that Talia and I not marry until she was older. I was young then, too, and I refused to give up Shado. I thought I could buy us some time. We were still together, but we were much more discrete about it."

"Ra's was okay with that?" Felicity replied with a frown. Ra's didn't seem like the type who would allow his daughter's betrothed to be with another woman. She would assume he'd view it as a sign of disrespect.

"The rules are different for men. You've seen his harem. Ra's always had women even while his wife was alive. I was allowed my 'dalliances' too," Oliver stated, making air quotes.

Felicity rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Typical," she muttered.

Oliver wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her forward. Felicity recognized the gesture for what is was, a silent promise. She caressed his chest before sliding her hand over his shoulder to touch the tattoo on his back again.

"So, what happened? How did you lose Shado?" she gently prodded.

"I was supposed to accompany her on a mission. We were often paired together for things like that, but I had business to conduct as Warith and Ra's asked that I remain here. It should've been routine. She had a team of other skilled assassins with her but…" Oliver's voice faltered, and he took a shaky breath. "Something went horribly wrong, and she was killed. She was only twenty-two-years-old."

Felicity rubbed his shoulder. "God, Oliver, I'm so sorry."

"I blamed myself for a long time. We were a team—always together. I should've been there fighting by Shado's side. I could've protected her, maybe even saved her. Instead, I was here strategizing with a bunch of pompous advisors—being a good little heir—while she was out dying."

"You couldn't have known," she consoled him. "And if Shado was as great a warrior as you said, then there was no reason to think she couldn't handle herself."

"I realize that now, but back then I was angry and overcome with grief. No one could get through to me," Oliver stated, the pain evident in his voice. "I mourned Shado, and I got the dragon tattoo—the same one she had—to honor her. I also trained harder. Sara once told me that I had this dark, almost dead look in my eyes sometimes when I fought. Like my emotions were cut off from my actions. I was brutal to my enemies, showing no mercy—like some kind of machine.

"And I rebelled in other ways. About a year after she passed, when Talia would flaunt our betrothal and try to tempt me—not even caring that my heart was still broken—I purposely requested longer missions. Outside of the compound, I slept with a bunch of different women. They were mostly a distraction, but a part of me also felt like every woman I bedded was retaliation for my impending marriage shackles." Oliver glanced away from her then, looking shame-faced. "It was not my proudest moment."

She softly asked, "How did you get through it?"

Oliver shrugged. "Time heals most wounds. I had to accept my life as it was. Sara and Nyssa helped me a lot too. I never expected to open up my heart again, though." He met her gaze as his hand traced her curves and finally buried itself in her hair. "Not until I first saw you. The moment you came into my life, everything changed."

Felicity swallowed back a swell of emotion, staring into the brilliant blue depths that bared his soul. "God, it must've been so awful for you when I was attacked," she realized. "You were so angry, but you must've been so scared you'd lose me too."

"It was my worst nightmare come to life," he admitted. His thumb caressed her cheek. "It brought everything back."

Felicity sat up and pressed their foreheads together. "I'm so sorry you had to relive that," she murmured.

"You have no idea the relief I felt when I found you. I thank God every day that I was there to save you," Oliver whispered.

She breathed him in. "I'm thankful you were there too."

"I loved Shado, and I will always carry her loss with me. But with you…I'm in love with you, shamsi." His gaze was piercing. "If I lost you, I honestly don't know what would become of me."

Felicity's heart stuttered in her chest at his declaration. He'd told her last night how much he loved her but hearing the words in English made them truly hit home. She felt sheepish for worrying earlier how she'd compare to Shado's memory; it wasn't a competition. The experiences she and Oliver both had shaped who they were today; they're what made her and Oliver fit together perfectly.

"You're strong, Oliver. The strongest man I know, in fact. You would survive," she reassured him, not wanting the scars of his past to haunt him.

"Felicity..."

She kissed him then. It was fierce and full of promise. "I never want to put you through that, which is why I know now that I must be careful. Please don't worry, baby. I'm not going anywhere."

Oliver deepened the kiss and pushed her down into the blankets, rolling on top of her. Felicity moaned into his mouth and clutched him tighter, eager to assuage her husband's fears and give him comfort. He wrapped her up in his arms and held her close.

Burying his head in her neck, Oliver breathed her in before placing gentle kisses against her skin. She arched her body to give him more access. They both groaned when her breasts brushed against his chest.

"Oliver?" she questioned on a breathless sigh a few minutes later.

Without pausing in his ministrations, he murmured back, "Hmm?"

The question just popped out. "Has your hair always been this short?"

Finally, Oliver paused and leaned back to look at her. He was utterly confused. "What?"

Felicity huffed out an embarrassed laugh. "Um, sorry. I know it's totally random, especially after that really intense conversation. But I've been thinking about it all day, and it sorta popped back into my head now. Not that it's super important, but I'm curious and—"

"Shamsi," he prompted to regain her focus.

She bit her lip before continuing, "I was wondering if you'd ever consider growing your hair out a little bit. Unless it's supposed to be that short, because you're Warith or whatever."

Regardless of the pain and fear she'd seen reflecting in his gaze earlier, his entire mood suddenly shifted. He smirked back at her in amusement. "Why do you want my hair longer?"

"Well, because, I-I…um…" she stuttered out. "I need something to pull while we're making love. I mean, you've got plenty of muscle and, like, no fat on your body—not that I'm complaining at all—but I just really want to run my fingers through your hair like you do to me. It's totally unfair, honestly."

Oliver's laughter was full, deep, and a welcomed relief. He shook his head at her before affectionately kissing her lips. "I usually keep it short, because I'm a warrior and it's one less thing to groom in the morning or on missions."

"Oh." Her hope deflated even though it was practical and made sense.

He waited a moment before adding, "But what kind of a husband would I be if I didn't heed my wife's request?"

"So you'll do it?" she perked up.

"Yes. Besides, I wouldn't mind having your magic fingers roaming through my hair either," he teased and pecked her lips.

"Yay! You won't regret it. I think you'll look so sexy. Not that you're not sexy now," she corrected, feeling her cheeks burn. "You pretty much ooze sex appeal twenty-four-seven. You could make even a garbage bag look good."

Oliver snorted. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Damn it, I should just stop talking." She placed a hand over her face.

"As much as I love the sound of your voice, Felicity, that might be best. Because all this sexy talk and that blush is really making me want to take you again right now," he proclaimed in a husky voice.

"I'd like that very much," she eagerly agreed, feeling his arousal against her. Her ovaries would be doing somersaults in anticipation if that were anatomically possible.

Oliver reclaimed her lips and tugged on her hair. Her gasp opened her mouth to him, and he wasted no time plunging his tongue inside to taste her. "Until my hair actually grows, just hold on to me tight," he joked in a gravelly tone.

Felicity wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed. "I'm never letting go."

"Well, that was weird," Felicity muttered to Sara has they continued down the hall. The pair had been on their way to Sara's quarters when Hakeem had approached. He'd wanted to talk to Felicity, which she automatically found odd considering they'd rarely ever had a reason to interact before.

He'd complimented her appearance at Eid Al Ta'sees—another red flag—before proceeding to talk about some new League security initiative he thought she'd find interesting. Felicity didn't particularly get the point of it, other than Hakeem's suggestion that she work with Al Hassoub to establish a digital, encrypted system for operatives in their territories. Afterward, he'd asked her a few questions about whether Al Sah-him would be open to such measures. When she said that she couldn't confirm his opinion one way or another, Hakeem had simply smiled and encouraged her to think about it.

"If you'd like to discuss it with your husband, I understand," he's replied with a bow.

Before leaving, he'd also mentioned getting Felicity some new equipment of her own to take on such an endeavor. Sensing there was something else he was after, she placated him by agreeing to mull it over.

"It was strategic," her friend corrected.

Frowning, Felicity questioned, "What do you mean?"

"He was making a pitch to you about his new agenda. At first, he was trying to gather information from you about Al Sah-him's view on the subject. When you didn't offer much, he switched tactics and tried to appeal to you directly," Sara explained. "That promise about getting you new tech was like a mini bribe. He wants you to talk to Al Sah-him about it and persuade him to back it."

"Okay, I'm still lost," she declared. "I'm rarely involved in League business. Why waste his time coming to me?"

"That's the thing. He wasn't wasting his time." Sara unlocked the door to her quarters and motioned for Felicity to enter. "Hakeem knows that Al Sah-him favors you, which means you have power to influence your husband. By convincing you, Hakeem is essentially appealing to Al Sah-him."

Felicity was having a difficult time believing it. "Seriously?"

Sara nodded. "I know it seems underhanded, but it's a compliment really. It means he and most likely the other higher-ups in the League are finally accepting your status and want to be on your good side."

"Huh." She never would've thought about it that way. But Felicity supposed Sara did have a point. "So what you're saying is I have some clout to wield around here."

"Exactly. And the influence can go both ways," Sara hinted. "If someone pisses you off, a gentle reminder that you're the demon's bride can go a long way."

"Al Sah-him told me before that it couldn't hurt to remind people of my status."

"He's right."

Felicity reached under Sara's bed for her tech they stored there. It had been several days since she'd gotten to work on their project to dig up dirt on Armitage. With Al Sah-him and Tommy involved in an intense training session for most of the afternoon, it gave Felicity the perfect opportunity to work without fear of disruption.

"Why now, though? It's not like it's news to Hakeem. Al Sah-him and I have been married for months now."

"Eid Al Ta'sees was kind of like your coming out party," Sara explained. "Not only did you stand proudly by your husband's side, looking regal in that amazing dress, but you engaged in the festivities with the other members. Also, you didn't seem all that warm towards your father—which again showed your loyalty. Basically, you left quite the impression on everyone that night."

Felicity couldn't help but beam with pride at the compliment. "Thanks, Sara," she replied. It was a relief to hear considering how nervous she'd been. Al Sah-him had also said she'd done well, but he was slightly biased. She could've fallen flat on her face on the dance floor, and he'd find a way to make her feel better about it.

"Or, you know, he could've noticed all the eye sex the two of you have been having lately," she jested. "Which is probably just a precursor to all the actual sex you're having now."

Felicity nearly dropped her tablet. "Sara," she exclaimed as her cheeks reddened.

Her friend just smirked. "Am I wrong?"

The blushing blonde's mouth opened several times before blurting out, "Is it that obvious?"

Sara, laughing, plopped onto her bed and leaned against the wall. "Oh yeah. You've been glowing ever since that night, and you did tell me it was only a matter of time. When you're not gazing dreamily after Al Sah-him and biting your lip with a 'take me now' look, he's staring at you like he's about to have his next full-course meal. I need a cold shower just watching you two," she teased.

"Oh my God," Felicity groaned and covered her face. She shouldn't be surprised. There were a few times that Felicity thought she caught her friends exchanging secretive smirks—especially when they were all training together. In her defense, there was no reasonable way not to drool over a sweaty and shirtless Al Sah-him.

"Don't be embarrassed," her friend chided. "There's nothing wrong with people assuming you're having good sex."

Since the polite pretenses were shot to hell anyway, Felicity couldn't help but say, "If we're being honest, it's not good." Sara's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "It's great," she continued. "Really great. Mind-blowing is probably the most accurate description."

It was true that she and Al Sah-him had been going at it nonstop ever since the Founding Day celebration. Every night this week they'd made love with the occasional wake-up romp in the morning—and maybe an afternoon rendezvous a time or two. Now that their desires had finally been unleashed, it was practically impossible to keep their hands off of each other.

With a proud grin, Sara nudged her. "Yeah, get it, girl."

Felicity giggled. Despite her initial embarrassment, it was kind of nice having a girl friend to talk to. Sara cracked a few more naughty jokes that had Felicity's face flaming, but she took them in stride. Eventually, though, she had to get to work. Felicity had made some good progress. There were already a few threads she'd found in Armitage's records that she could pull on. Since Felicity had also cut ties with her father, there was nothing holding her back from searching for weak links with him too.

Felicity worked well into the early evening. When Sara asked if she would be having dinner with her, Nyssa, and Tommy, Felicity declined—saying she and Al Sah-him would most likely take supper in their room. Sara didn't have to say anything; the knowing smirk on her face was enough.

Oliver was already in their room when Felicity arrived. She was at his side instantly, throwing her arms around his neck and leaning up for a kiss. Her entire body tingled with anticipation. He happily returned her affections, though there was no mistaking the tension in his shoulders and dark circles under his eyes. He was probably stressed, tired, or both.

"You okay?" she questioned.

"Long day," he sighed while rubbing her back. "Something's come up. I have a new mission that requires my immediate attention."

"New mission as in it's going to be a late night in the war room or you've got to leave Nanda Parbat?" Unfortunately, Felicity thought she already knew the answer—if Oliver's sour expression and the knot in her stomach were any indication.

"I've got to leave."

She tried to hide her anxiety over the fact that he'd be leaving again—especially since she now knew just how hard it was for him to do so. It would be the first time he left her side since the attack. Felicity didn't want to worry him further, so she was calm when replying, "Okay. How long will you be gone?"

"A week. Maybe more depending on if we're successful."

Whatever optimism she'd been trying to channel sank. A whole week apart sounded like pure torture, even if she wasn't worried about Talia or someone else plotting against her again. "When are you leaving?" she asked, keeping her voice even.

"We need to be ready as soon as possible."

"Who's 'we'?" she questioned while paying way too much attention to a piece of lint on his chest. If she looked up at him, he'd surely see the sadness and disappointment in her eyes. She didn't want to make him feel worse than he probably already did.

"By 'we' I mean you too. Because you're coming with me."

Felicity's head snapped up. "Excuse me?" she replied, sure she'd heard him wrong.

"You're coming with me," Oliver repeated, cupping her face. "I'm not leaving you behind again, shamsi. Besides, I think you're long overdue for a change of scenery—at least for a little while."

"Are you serious? Oh, Oliver," she exclaimed and hugged him tightly. "Thank you." Felicity began to pepper his face with kisses. "Thank you, thank you, thank you…" She was finally going to leave Nanda Parbat and return to the real world. The sense of joy and relief nearly knocked her off of her feet.

"You'll still need protection and will have to do as I say," he warned. "No matter how familiar the surroundings will be, you need to trust me."

"I'll do whatever you want," Felicity replied. She didn't care if they stayed on a deserted island and she had to take a whole battalion of guards with her just to sunbathe, she'd do it as long as she got to be with him and free of this place.

Oliver tilted her chin up, holding her gaze. "Promise me, Felicity."

Without hesitation, she said, "I promise." Felicity placed her hand over his. "Now can you please tell me where we're going?" He said it might be familiar, which instantly piqued her curiosity.

His hold on her tightened ever so slightly as his eyes bore into hers. Despite the freedom he was offering her, a conflict swirled beneath the surface. Felicity barely had time to wonder about it before his answer turned her entire world upside down yet again. "Starling," he revealed. "We're going to Starling City."

Translations:

shamsi = my sun

Eid Al Ta'sees = Founding Day

Al Tineen = The Dragon