Intoxicating Desires | T. Al Ghul ✔

[18]

Veruna had come to the turrets at night, knowing it was her Lady's favorite spot to come to and spend some time in solitude. It had been long since Talia had left the base and by then, Veruna missed her.

She had always been with her ever since Talia had taken her under her wing so such a long time to pass without her presence at the base made Veruna feel very out of place. She was so accustomed to Talia being there that it felt wrong to stay at the base without her.

Plus, neither of the League members accepted her so every passing day added to her misery.

The only highlight for her was that she had more time to visit the peasant family. But she kept her visits very rare, not wanting anyone to follow her and put the family in trouble.

In those days, she had grown closer to Saahir as well but the closer she got to him, the more that feeling of protecting him from the League increased. She was fully aware that if his existence and his true identity was revealed to the League, it would only end up in execution for him.

And she could not let that happen, not at any cost.

So her visits to Amma's family and Saahir were very few and kept secret from the League.

But even in those few and far in between visits, the attraction she felt towards Saahir had only grown and she found herself falling in love with the man. Needless to say, he too felt the same but understood Veruna's reason for keeping their relationship hushed up.

As she looked down at the vast snowy expanse that merged with the forest, her mind was cluttered with thoughts. Both about Saahir and the peasant family as well as her own loyalty and connection to the League.

She also didn't know what she would tell Talia when she returned and asked her about Saahir again. She had noticed unease radiate off both of them whenever the other was brought up in their presence.

For Saahir, the reason was that he considered Talia equally responsible for wiping out his army in the war. As for Talia, that indicated jealousy and Veruna wasn't sure what was the cause to it.

It didn't seem like Talia knew about Saahir being the prince of Persia but even that knowledge, she seemed to hate him.

And that hatred between them was what scared Veruna most. She knew if the moment came for her to pick one from the two, she wouldn't be able to choose.

If she chose Saahir, she would be breaking the oath of always serving Talia and the League loyally. It would proved Ra's Al Ghul's words that she was a traitor's daughter and betrayal was in her nature. But if she picked Talia, it would end up in her never being able to see Saahir again or worse, it could result in his death.

Both options had their own dire circumstances and she did not want to think about it at the moment. But she was also well aware that she couldn't keep her eyes closed forever.

The time would come soon for her to make a decision.

***

Talia analyzed the vigilante in front of her, emerald eyes radiant in curiosity. No one in Gotham knew who Batman was without that mask but she had a guess and was somewhat certain that she wasn't wrong.

Bruce Wayne had adopted two wards. Batman also had two sidekicks, both bearing the name Robin. Both Batman and Bruce Wayne held a lot of power over the city and it couldn't be possible for any other common man to manage the responsibility of being a vigilante.

Especially not without the financial benefits and connections that Bruce could have fostered by then.

So either Bruce and Batman were connected or they were the same person.