Maybe not

"Maybe not," Lucas said. "You see, she came back a few days later, asking for another."

"You spanked her again? But... but why?" Eldwyn asked, her eyes nearly popping out.

Kythril, for her part, tried to disappear into her chair. Again, Lucas answered for her. "You get aroused when you're being told what to do, but she's a little different. She wants pain. She enjoys it. Don't you, Kythril?"

Kythril's voice was tiny and strained, but she still spoke. "Y-yes."

"I-I don't understand," Eldwyn stammered, looking from Kythril to Lucas and back again. "Doesn't... doesn't it hurt, Kythril?"

Kythril took a long time to answer, but then it was like a dam burst. "I-it's not like you think. In the beginning it hurts, and... and it gets worse and worse, but after a while it all gets mixed up and confused and it starts feeling good. I mean, it still hurts, a lot, but it's a good kind of pain... I-I can't explain it. It feels so good... it hurts so much but I like it. I want to beg him for more, but I also want to tell him to stop, and... and... I just can't help myself! Oh, I'm awful!"

"You are not awful! You haven't done anything wrong!" Eldwyn cried, wrapping her arms around her sister. "Oh, Kythril, it's all right, you're all right."

A hitching sob escaped her sister. "But I'm a freak! I—"

"No, you're not," Eldwyn said firmly, "and even if you were, there's nothing wrong with being a little weird."

Kythril raised her head hopefully. "You... you mean that?"

"Of course! You're my big sister, and I love you and I'll always be here for you. I promise."

"I... I love you too." Kythril said.

They exchanged a smile as they both wiped the tears from their eyes. Eldwyn turning to Lucas with a unreadable expression on her face.

"So how often have you been...?"

"Just a couple of times," Lucas answered.

"Oh."

"Does that bother you?"

Eldwyn fell silent for a moment, staring into space.

"I... I don't really know what to think. A little, I guess. But then I've been having sex with other people too,"—so was so deep in thought that she didn't notice Kythril stiffening briefly at that revelation—"so I have no right to feel jealous. And..."

She trailed off. She squirmed in her seat and Lucas raised an eyebrow in an unspoken demand. Her cheeks flushed.

"Well, I guess I'm curious. Could... could I see?"

At first, Lucas didn't understand what she was asking.

When it finally dawned on him, his jaw dropped. "You want to see me hurt your sister again?"

The words had barely left his mouth before Kythril gasped in shock.

"But... but you can't! I... I'm your sister!"

"So?" Eldwyn replied defensively. "It's not like I want to have sex with you! I just... want to see. Besides, I've already seen it once before."

"That... that was different."

"I've told you everything I did, so it's only fair. No secrets, remember?"

It was a low blow, in Lucas' opinion, tantamount to emotional ****. In any case, there was a big difference between showing and telling. On the other hand, he'd be lying if he said the notion of having an audience didn't appeal to him. He shrugged theatrically. "It's fine with me."

"See?" Eldwyn said, grinning triumphantly, apparently taking that as permission. She didn't give Kythril a chance to object further, taking her hand and getting to her feet. "Come on, let's go to Lucas' home right now."

"What about your shift?" Lucas asked, then cursed himself for giving her a reason not to go through with it.

"Oh, I'm already done for today. Come on!"

Kythril struggled weakly against her sister's grip, mumbling under her breath, but Eldwyn ignored her completely and led her out of the bar. Lucas followed close behind. It was a little strange to see Kythril be dragged through town by someone noticeably smaller than her, but at least she wasn't making a scene. He wondered if that was because she was afraid of attracting attention, or if something else kept her quiet and subdued.

By now Eldwyn had learned the fastest route from the Fearless Hog to Lucas' home by heart, and she led them through the twisting, narrow streets. Even with his longer legs, Lucas had to hurry to keep up with his enthusiastic student and her somewhat less eager charge.

Soon, they arrived at his home. Lucas unlocked the door, and an instant later Eldwyn ushered Kythril inside, making straight for the library. Lucas himself followed somewhat more leisurely and closed the door behind him before following them.

Now that they were at their destination, Eldwyn seemed lost. The two sisters stood practically as far away from each other as they could, both of them looking anywhere but at each other.