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Gideon wiped her brow with the hem of her robe, pausing just long enough to stretch her aching back before returning to the leek fields. The satchel across her shoulder swung with every step. Despite the typical chill of the Ninth, sweat drenched through her undershirt and wetted the collar of her black robes.
She glanced around the fields, watching the skeletons work mindlessly to dig and plant, pry roots from the hard soil. She wished to fuck that the Ninth could grow better crops. Her stomach felt hollow; she’d been without meals for nearly 48 hours thanks to Shittyhark Twatagesimus.
She was too distracted by her growling stomach to notice Crux’s moldering form sneak up behind her.
“Lazy!” he shouted, scaring her half to death. She yelped as his sword belt lashed her shoulder.
“Fuck!” Gideon swore. “Warn a girl!”
“Lazy, worthless-” Crux rasped, three more lashes landing before Gideon could scamper out of range. “Come here, you lout, and take your beating.”
“Like hell,” Gideon muttered, dropping the satchel filled with leeks. She took off at a sprint, lungs burning as she dodged skeletal constructs and fallen garden tools. Her heart raced in her chest. She felt faint; hunger tore at her muscles, leaving her breathless.
“Gideon?”
Gideon looked up, immediately trying to force a smile for the younger Reverend Daughter.
“Hey, Nona,” she said, wincing as she straightened up. “What are you doing out here?”
“Chasing beetles,” Nona said seriously. “You’re hurting.”
“Aw, don’t worry about it,” Gideon brushed her off. “Tell me about the beetles.”
“Oh!” Nona beamed, her eyes crinkling. “They’re fun! Little black beetles with hard shells. They crawl around like this.”
Nona dropped to the ground, skittering around Gideon’s feet until she couldn’t help but laugh.
“What do you do when you catch them?” Gideon asked.
“I don’t catch them,” Nona huffed. “I just chase them. Sometimes they show me cool caves. I found a rock covered with water last week. It didn’t taste very good, but I have high hopes.”
Gideon laughed, enjoying the precious few moments of peace in her day. As soon as Crux caught up to her, she knew she’d be in for it - black eye, bruised ribs. The usual. Maybe he’d just whip her and let her go. Her face fell as she mulled over the trouble she always managed to get into.
“You’re upset,” Nona said, tilting her head. She stopped skittering like a beetle and leaned against the low stone wall at the edge of the leek fields.
“I’m just hungry,” Gideon shrugged. “Just have to make it another eight hours. Your sister might actually allow me some gruel before I wither away.”
Gideon made an exaggerated fainting gesture, enjoying the way Nona shook her head until her braids swung side to side.
“No, nuh-uh, you’re lying-” Nona said, crossing her arms. “It’s not just hungry. You’re sad.”
“I wouldn’t say sad,” Gideon said defensively, though she knew Nona was right. “More like… pissed off.”
“Better than pissed on,” Nona nodded sagely.
Gideon snickered into her sleeve.
“You could say that again,” she grinned, her smile faltering as another hunger cramp hit. “Yeah, I guess I am a little bit sad.”
“Want to talk about it?” Nona asked, patting the flat stone beside her. “You could eat a leek if you want. I won’t tell.”
“They’re snow leeks,” Gideon said glumly. “They’re poisonous when they’re cold. You have to cook them into mush or else you’ll shit yourself for days. Trust me; your sister helped me figure that out the hard way.”
“Oh,” Nona frowned. “I like how they crunch.”
“You have the stomach of a recyc machine,” Gideon teased.
“Talk to me,” Nona said, patting Gideon’s knee gently. “Please?”
“Crux is after me,” Gideon grimaced. “Again. I ran away.”
“That’s naughty,” Nona wrinkled her nose. “You’re going to get smacked for that.”
“I knoooow,” Gideon groaned, rubbing her shoulder where Crux’s belt left her bruised. “It’s going to suck. I’m always in trouble, Nona. I hate it. Nobody else in the whole freakin’ House gets in trouble like I do, even when I try to behave! I didn’t do anything this time. I swear it.”
“I believe you,” Nona said, resting her chin on Gideon’s uninjured shoulder. “I’ll get Harrow to talk to Crux.”
“She’d probably tell him to hit me harder,” Gideon grumbled. She leaned her head against Nona’s, reveling in the softness of her hair. Nona’s body was warm and comforting, and Gideon felt herself calm down despite her dread.
“If Crux needs to see you punished,” Nona said, thinking out loud, “then maybe he’ll let me spank you instead.”
Gideon snorted.
“Nice try, Sunshine,” Gideon sighed. “I think they all know you’d go easy on me. They won’t be satisfied until I’m hurt.”
“I don’t like it when you hurt,” Nona pouted. “I wish you could be my cavalier.”
Nona’s words hung in the air, settling like gravel in Gideon’s heart.
“Yeah,” Gideon said, her voice choked. “Me, too. Wish you were a Necromancer like short, dark, and stupid.”
“Don’t call her that!” Nona fussed, swatting Gideon’s arm. “Harrow’s the smartest girl I’ve met in my life.”
“Fine. Short, dark, and evil,” Gideon corrected herself, getting a bop on the nose from Nona. “You’d better go, Nona. I don’t want you to miss out on your beetle adventures.”
“Nah, I can chase them another day,” Nona said, frowning as Gideon’s stomach roared in protest. “Harrow keeps snacks in our room. Let’s get some.”
“Now that would definitely get me smacked,” Gideon grimaced, her body instinctively shrinking back. “No thanks.”
“She won’t use the cane anymore, I promise!” Nona giggled. “Aiglamene made her snap it in half. Oh! Let’s talk to Aiglamene. You don’t mind smackings from her as much.”
“Won’t stop Crux from beating me senseless,” Gideon mused, though the idea did tempt her. Aiglamene had a strong arm, but she was fair; and, weak as she was, Gideon kind of needed something fair. “But if Aiglamene does it…”
“Oh! You can come stay with me for the rest of the evening,” Nona brightened. “I need help brushing out my hair and Harrow’s in the chapel until dinnertime. If Crux comes for you, I’ll tell him Aiglamene already did it and he’ll have to leave you alone!”
“That’s almost crazy enough to work,” Gideon swallowed, a bad feeling in her guts.
“And I can give you a snack while you help me with my hair,” Nona said, lowering her voice. “It’s nutrient paste with green sauce. Harrow doesn’t know I know she stole it!”
“I thought green sauce was only for-”
“It is!” Nona said gleefully. “If they knew she took it, Harrow would get smacked too. We’ve got the advantage.”
“Sure do, Nona,” Gideon couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t remember the last time I had green sauce.”
“Let’s do it, then. I think Aiglamene is down in the oss. Maybe she’ll give me some smacks too!” Nona wiggled her nose eagerly.
“You wouldn’t feel it,” Gideon said, not particularly looking forward to any kind of punishment - even if she knew Aiglamene wouldn’t give her more than she could take. “Plus, you’re a good girl, Nona.”
Nona beamed at that.
“And Aiglamene only hurts your booty,” Nona pointed out. “So you could still help me with my hair.”
Gideon winced, familiar nerves stirring in her aching belly.
“Also true,” she sighed, a wave of acceptance washing over her. There was still the chance of Crux demanding his pound of flesh, but she hoped that hiding with Nona - and letting Aiglamene talk down the old codger - would be enough to keep her in one piece. “Better the devil you know than the devil you can’t predict.”
Nona took Gideon’s hand and pulled her along, dodging nuns and penitents as they skittered down the halls to the entrance to the ossuary. Bone dust wafted through the air, dry and powdery, and Gideon immediately had a coughing fit. Nona tried to catch the larger flecks of dust on her tongue.
“What do you want, Nav?” Aiglamene called from further down the massive room. A clatter of bones made Gideon’s skin crawl.
“How’d you know it was me?” Gideon asked.
“You think I haven’t heard your dramatic cough before, you baby?” Aiglamene cackled. Her voice echoed from the corners. “C’mon in. I’m just retiring some of the field skeletons. Sorting out the parts that might still be useful.”
“Nona’s with me,” Gideon called, already wishing she’d just hidden in a cramped rock heap instead of going along with Nona’s plan. “I fucked up.”
“You usually do,” Aiglamene sighed.
“Aiglamene,” Nona said, her voice too serious to match her face. “I need you to smack Gideon so Crux won’t. I want her to play with my hair and Crux is ruining everything.”
“Report, Nav,” Aiglamene said, straightening up from her perch on a short stool. She set aside the thick-bristled brush she used to clean the bones of debris. “Nona, tell me if she lies.”
“I worked the fields today,” Gideon said, standing at attention. “I stopped for a few minutes and Crux caught me. I didn’t do anything, I swear. I just needed to catch my breath. I had a full bag of snow leeks, and I was overheating.”
“Nona?”
“Nope, that’s all true,” Nona said, rocking on the balls of her feet.
“Continue,” Aiglamene said, satisfied.
“Crux got in a few licks on my back, and I… sort of ran away,” Gideon flinched back, biting her lip. “I’m sorry, Aiglamene. It just hurts so much more when I’m this hungry. And I’m worried that Harrow will take away my food for another day. I’m not being dramatic, but I don’t know how much more I can take. I haven’t gone without food for this long before.”
“You can go a month without food, easily,” Aiglamene brushed her off. “As long as you take your hydration tablets and drink water. So, you came here to confess so I’ll whip your butt and tell Crux to stand down. Am I understanding the situation?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Gideon ducked her head, cursing herself.
“And what if I say no?” Aiglamene arched her eyebrow. “Why should I take time from my busy day to discipline you when your misbehavior has nothing to do with me?”
“Because…” Gideon trailed off, trying to swallow the knot in her throat.
“Because Gideon trusts you more than she trusts Crux,” Nona said, giving Aiglamene a look that made Gideon’s head feel funny. “And because I’m saying pretty, pretty please.”
“I suppose I can’t argue with that, Reverend Daughter,” Aiglamene shook her head, giving Nona a soft look. “Gideon’s lucky you’re willing to speak for her.”
“Thanks, Nona,” Gideon said quietly, her stomach twisting as it tried to eat itself. “Where do you want me, Captain?”
“Hands on the wall, trousers down,” Aiglamene pursed her lips, picking up the flat-backed oss brush from the ground. “My Lady, you are welcome to stay.”
“Can I stand with Gideon?” Nona asked, trying not to wiggle as excitement crept into her voice. “I can take some of her smacks.”
“Nona-” Gideon started, but Aiglamene’s chuckle stopped her.
“Sure, knock yourself out,” Aiglamene rubbed her temple, shaking the heavy brush at Gideon. “Won’t knock any off your sentence, though.”
“Really?!” Nona squeaked, immediately skipping over to the wall beside Gideon. “Gideon, hold my hand!”
Gideon grimaced as Nona barreled into her, embarrassment making her chest tighten. She tried not to flinch as Nona shucked her skirts down and nestled against her, sticking out her bony butt with a giggle. Gideon took her hand, steeling herself for another beating. Another punishment for a crime she didn’t deserve the blame for.
Aiglamene hefted the brush, tapping it twice against Gideon’s ass before cracking it down with a mighty thwack. Gideon hissed through her teeth, stomping her foot as pain bloomed. Another crack fell and Gideon jolted forward, struggling to hold position. A third crack sounded in the room but this one landed on Nona’s scrawny hide. Gideon flinched anyway, even as Nona squealed with giggles.
“I know you don’t like to listen to Crux,” Aiglamene scolded, continuing the cycle; two cracks to Gideon, one to Nona. “Tough shit. You listen and you obey, or else you end up right here getting walloped again. You hear me, Nav?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Gideon spat through gritted teeth.
“Gideon’s a good girl,” Nona said defensively. “But I guess running away was naughty.”
“Nav?” Aiglamene said, amusement in her voice.
“Running was naughty, Nona,” Gideon managed, bracing herself. She caught the look in Aiglamene’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have run. You’re right.”
“Um,” Nona said, wiggling her rear. Despite the hard swats, her skin looked unmarked and flawless as always. “I think maybe Gideon learned her lesson?”
“Not yet, my Lady,” Aiglamene said. Gideon held her breath as Aiglamene’s hand pressed against her lower back to hold her still.
A violent flurry of smacks made her shriek out loud, her sore backside radiating with pain. Bruises and welts pressed up from beneath her skin, and tears flowed down Gideon’s cheeks. She felt Nona move, and suddenly a small body covered her own.
“No more!” Nona said stubbornly, putting herself in the line of fire. Gideon’s face turned beet red as a coarse swatch of hair rubbed against her bare, throbbing ass. Relief and humiliation filled her chest.
“Oh, fine,” Aiglamene groused. “Nav, I’m putting you through the ringer at tomorrow’s lesson. Go on and get dressed. Better hide out for the rest of the day. I wouldn’t suggest supper unless you want to risk Crux pantsing you in front of the congregation.”
Gideon’s stomach roared and cramped. She shakily reached down to pull up her trousers, accidentally backing into Nona’s crotch in the process. Nona squeezed Gideon’s butt, drawing a yelp out of the humiliated swordswoman.
“Nona!” Gideon moaned, massaging her tender skin. She couldn’t believe the amount of heat radiating from her ass.
“Come on, Gideon! I want you to brush my hair for me!” Nona grinned impishly, tilting her head. “Are you thinking about-“
“Let’s go!” Gideon said hurriedly, ducking away from her snickering mentor. “Lead the way.”
“And then Harrow pointed right to the part that said ‘not for rectal use’ and long story short, Sister Calina had to use bone magic to make sure we had enough candles for the service!” Nona laughed, snorting with delight. “It was really funny!”
Gideon drew the comb through Nona’s hair, unbraiding each length slowly. She was content to listen to Nona babble. Two empty pouches of nutrient paste sat beside her, finally giving her rumbling stomach some relief. Nona made sure she got to taste a little green sauce, which she felt was very touching.
“Gideon, why do you want to do sex things with Harrow?” Nona asked. Gideon sputtered, choking on her own spit as she tried to answer.
“I don’t!” Gideon said, immediately reddening at Nona’s knowing look. “Well, I don’t - not with - gross, Nona, it’s Harrow. She hates me!”
“But she wants to do sex things with you,” Nona said, pouting out her lips cutely. “She thinks about you when she-“
“Nona!”
Gideon whipped around, ice-cold dread splashing in her stomach. Harrowhark’s face loomed from the doorway, an otherworldly fury pulsing at her temple.
“I told you, never-“ Harrow stormed across the room, clapping her hand against Nona’s mouth. “Never say things like that, do you understand me?”
Nona’s eyes welled with tears, and Gideon couldn’t stand for it. Against every nerve in her body screaming for her to run, Gideon stood up and snatched Harrow’s wrist in a tight grip.
“Keep your hands off her, Nonagesimus,” Gideon snarled, jerking Harrow closer to get her away from Nona. “Pick a fight with someone your own size.”
“But we’re the same size-” Nona squeaked, her lip wobbling.
“Back off, Harrow,” Gideon said, pulling Harrowhark nearly off her feet. She didn’t miss the way Harrow’s pupils dilated; her breath came in ragged gasps. Gideon quickly let go, her face burning.
Harrow slapped her.
“I see you’re the cause of Nona’s indiscretion, Nav,” Harrow spat, clenching her fists. “Unsurprising. Shall I deal with you here or should I fetch Crux?”
“Fuck you, Harrow,” Gideon glared, her shoulders hunched. “If you want to fight, then fight me.”
“Gideon,” Nona said, tugging at her arm.
“Well, Nonagesimus? What do you think? You and me. Right here; right now.”
“I think you’re an imbecile who needs to be punished,” Harrow narrowed her eyes. “Move, Nona. I need to teach this pathetic worm a lesson.”
“It’s okay, Nona. I promise not to rearrange her face too much,” Gideon smirked, giving Nona a reassuring wink. In the fraction of a second it took for Gideon to look away, Harrow was on her like wildfire.
“Bitch!” Gideon yelped, landing on her back in surprise. Harrow’s nails dug into her neck, her beady black eyes pinpricks of hate among white paint. Gideon twisted her shoulder, throwing them both in a roll until Gideon managed to claw her way on top of the younger girl. She pressed her forearm against Harrow’s neck, expecting an onslaught of bone spikes to pierce her liver any moment.
What she didn’t expect was for Harrow to moan.
“Really?!” Gideon recoiled, straddling Harrow’s waist. She kept her arm pressed down, but she lightened the pressure. “You’re getting off on this?”
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Harrow screeched, writhing beneath Gideon’s powerful body. “Fuck! Fuck! Nav, you- you don’t know what you’re talking about-”
“She wants you to kiss her, Gideon,” Nona added helpfully, sitting up higher on her knees to get a closer look. “I don’t think she’ll even bite you.”
Gideon froze, her heart rattling against the cage of her chest. She looked down on the smeared-paint face of her mortal enemy, recognizing the expression lurking just beneath the surface of the skeletal visage. It was a look she’d seen hundreds of times throughout their lives, but she never quite understood it before.
She understood now.
Despite every bone in her body protesting a decision that could so easily spell her doom, Gideon leaned down and kissed the Reverend Daughter Harrowhark Nonagesimus right on the mouth.