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Moiraine had never thought she would find herself there on her own volition, but here she was. She shivered slightly and rubbed her behind in anticipation. Then she took a deep breath and knocked on the Mistress of Novices’ door. It was the first time she had come to the study since she had been made Aes Sedai, four years previously. Of course, during those years, she had rarely been in the Tower. In fact, she had even missed the advent of Siuan as Amirlyn. However, now that she was back – for as short a term as possible, she hoped – she had to submit to the rules like all her sisters, and those rules did not sit easily on her. She did not like having to rein in her temper, and as she had been pressed into teaching some of the Accepted and novices, keeping calm was a skill she sorely needed and did not quite possess. Oh, she no longer flew into temper tantrums as she had done when she was younger. Instead, she had mastered the art of scathing irony, and today, she had just unleashed it on an unsuspecting and hapless novice who had remained particularly obtuse to what she had been trying to teach her. At least she had waited until said novice had fled from the room to destroy half of it with the one power. And now, she was going to do something which would not only be painful, but would probably also displease her lover. The Amirlyn did not like to see her lover’s skin marred with bruises.
When she was bidden to enter, Moiraine took a deep breath and walked slowly into the study she knew all too well. Her friend Sheriam’s usually smiling face was serious, and her pale green eyes fixated on the newcomer. The young Mistress of Novices apparently did not like what she had to do more than Moiraine herself, but she would carry out her duty. Moiraine made a quick curtsy, not to her friend, but to the function she represented, and remained standing in front of the desk, her shoe drawing invisible designs on the carpet.
“You know I have to be harder with you than with a Novice or an Accepted?”, Sheriam finally said, ending the silence.
“I know.”
“Are you sure you want this? No one would know if…”
“I’d know.”
Of course Moiraine did not want to be beaten. However, she had to atone for her behaviour, very much unworthy of an Aes Sedai, and seeking penance from Sheriam was the quickest way to do it. Plus, it would be more private than helping in the kitchens or scrubbing the floors. No one would know, except them, and Siuan, of course, when she undressed her later that night. She could refuse to share her bed with her, but she did not want to deny herself the comfort of her presence.
“Well, if you are sure, let’s get on with it, child.”
Moiraine bristled at being called a child by her friend, but then again, she had behaved rather like a naughty child throwing a temper tantrum. She slowly lowered herself over the desk, not particularly wanting to know which instrument the Mistress would use to implement her punishment. She would know soon enough when said instrument impacted on her buttocks. She gripped the well-worn leather of the edge of the desk as she had done so many times when she was a novice, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt the cool air on her bottom and knew Sheriam had lifted her dress, giving her access to her bare bottom. And then, she knew only pain as the switch descended again, and again on her bare skin, marring it with thin red lines.
“By the light!”, she muttered through gritted teeth, when she could not contain herself any longer. The switch halted for an instant, and her old friend’s voice came to her ears. “You know that if you swear, I have to add extras.” Moiraine nodded as much as she could in her prone position. Of course she knew. Only novices were forgiven for uttering oaths during their punishments – certainly not sworn Aes Sedai. Swearing was beneath them – at least during penance. Yet, even though she knew, she could not help letting a “blood and ashes!” slip from her. She bit her lips, but it was too late – unless Sheriam had suddenly become deaf, she could not have helped hearing.
The chastisement felt like it lasted for an eternity, but after a while, the switch stopped coming and Moiraine wondered why Sheriam did not tell her to rise.
“I know you do not like this, but I have no choice. This is for the curses”
What…? She did not have long to wait, as another instrument landed on her bottom and she shrieked. The dreaded slipper, the one tool of penance she hated above all, had landed on the bloody streaks left by the switch, and the pain was almost unbearable. This added punishment was only a few blows, but on already grazed and bruised skin, it was enough to bring tears to her eyes. When Sheriam finally released her, she held out her arms and Moiraine sank gratefully into them.
“Are you all right?”, asked Sheriam. Moiraine just nodded and accepted the handkerchief her old friend offered. She wiped her tears, knowing the redness of her eyes would betray her if she met anybody, and ran a hand through her hair. Then she straightened her dress, sank into a curtsy, murmured “Thank you, Sheriam Sedai”, and tried to walk out of the room as gracefully as possible with a blazing bottom.
She wished she could go to her room immediately and hide, but she had one more lesson to teach. Luckily, even if the Accepted noticed her shifting in her seat, the girl did not dare to comment – to her face, at least – and the fire in her buttocks helped her keep her temper in check.
Later on that night, Moiraine stifled a groan as she changed from her heavy brocade dress into her dressing gown. The mere contact of fabric again skin was agonising. She let down her hair and finally channelled her way to Siuan’s bedroom. Maybe she could just not tell her? She sighed – she did not have to say anything – her bottom spoke for itself. She could have asked one of her sisters for healing, but it wasn’t the done thing after a penance.
At first, she managed quite well. She sank fully clothed into Siuan’s bed, pretexting a chill in the air, and busied herself with caressing her lover all over, paying special attention to her very attractive breasts and the nipples that stood at attention under her skilful tongue. Then she traced a line of kisses down to her abdomen, and reached below, stifling a moan as her gown rubbed her buttocks. She went lower, …lower, her lips kissing the soft triangle at the top of Siuan’s legs, and then her tongue found the wetness and sucked it…until Siuan grabbed her buttocks to steady herself and she couldn’t refrain from crying out. Siuan immediately guessed the cry was not one of pleasure, and she twisted and manoeuvred Moiraine on her side, so as to see her back and buttocks.
“Not again!”, groaned Siuan. Moiraine tried to look contrite, not succeeding very well. She really did not want to be scolded on top of her punishment. After all, she was the one suffering. She knew, though, that her lover hated to see her in pain. “What was it for this time?”, went on Siuan.
Moiraine bit her lips. “Loosing my temper…with novices and Accepted?
- Why the hesitation?
- No – no hesitation. For losing my temper and …
- And …
- Maybe… destruction of property – just a little. It’s all fixable though.
- I bloody well hope so! I guess you’re a living proof that Sheriam does not go easier on her friends. I still hate the idea of private penances, though – and you know that!”
Moiraine could not reply to that, so she just lowered her gaze silently. Yes, she knew full well Siuan did, and she was not that fond of them herself, but there was something satisfying in the chastisement too. As if it absolved her of her acts. Now Siuan had to absolve her, too, and since she could not see a better way to achieve that, she tentatively put her arms around her lover’s neck. Siuan was busy looking for something in a chest of drawers, and when she turned back towards Moiraine, a little green jar in her hand, Moiraine kissed her, a long, languorous kiss on lips that did not refuse. When Siuan finally broke the kiss and ordered her lover on the bed, face down, so she could rub the ointment on her bottom, Moiraine sighed, a contented sigh, almost the purr of the cat who got the cream. With Siuan, forgiveness was almost always a kiss away.