Stay

five.

One week.

It'd been one week since Aaliyah saw or spoke to either Warith Al Ghul and Nadura.

Of course, she tried reaching out to the latter of the two, and technically, Nadura responded, but it wasn't the same. Her smile didn't meet her eyes. Her laugh was brief and hollow. There was tension between them and every time she tried to bring up what happened, Nadura laughed it off and changed the subject.

And as far as Warith, as much as she tried to pretend it didn't bother her, it did. It bothered her that he hadn't sent for her and she didn't know why. She should have been thankful she hadn't been subjected to his chastisement and ridicule. And she was. But she also missed it.

The view from his balcony.

The only thing that kept her from sneaking in there was the library.

During the tour, she was shown the sizable room with more books than she'd ever seen in one place. As a child, she loved to read, but grew out of it as she aged. However, books often had pictures. Pictures she could sketch. Even reading some of them would inspire random drawings.

She spent most of her time there during the past week.

"Are you alright?"

Aaliyah looked down and realized the blue eyed servant had been trying to catch her attention. "Yes. I am sorry." She apologized with a meek smile.

"I can always return later if that better suits you." Samirah began to wrap up the tape measure she was using on Aaliyah. The young woman shook her head and placed her hand over Samirah's.

"No. It is fine. Please continue."

Samirah hesitated, but finished taking Aaliyah's measurements. When she was done, Aaliyah stepped down from the stool and fixed her dress. "Why exactly did you do this again?"

Samirah looked up and seemed confused. "Warith Al Ghul said you needed a wardrobe more....appropriate for your title. But the seamstress need your exact size to ensure a proper fit."

Aaliyah was dumbstruck. "My title? I am his mistress. Not his wife."

"You are correct, but you are a first."

"What do you mean?"

"Warith Al Ghul has never taken a mistress before. Let alone a foreigner. From Shiruta at that."

Aaliyah became quiet. This was surprising information. She'd never thought to ask about prior relationships as it hadn't crossed her mind that was an issue. Clearly, it was a relevant topic to bring up. She wanted to ask Samirah if he had ever had a significant other, but something else the girl said bothered her more.

"I was taken from Shiruta, yes. But that is not my home." She licked her lips and avoided eye contact. "Bialya is, or was, my home."

She looked up when Samirah dropped the glass she was holding. Aaliyah reached for a towel to dry up the water that spilled.

"I'm so sorry." Samirah apologized and bent down to take the towel from her and finish the job. "I just..." She trailed off and Aaliyah noticed the girl was on verge of tears. "I did not realize..."

"Samirah." Aaliyah placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What is it?"

Her blue eyes glistened. "I too am Bialyan."

Aaliyah took in a sharp breath. "What?" She stared in disbelief. Bialya was a small enough country as it was and survivors of the genocide were a true rarity. "How? I thought-"

"Me too." She chuckled sadly and wiped at her eyes. Aaliyah reached for her hand and guided the two over to her sofa. "I had been away when it happened. I was studying abroad. America. Star City University." She paused and Aaliyah gently squeezed her hand. "My sister came and told me what had happened, but I did not believe her. I couldn't..."