Building an Empire [M/M]

Chapter Sixteen

Siobhan

"Are you ready to have your lovely behind kicked, my Lady?" Riley asked and bowed dramatically before Alex, who simply raised an elegant eyebrow and smiled mockingly back at him. "I think your memory is as bad as your fighting, little soldier, for I have been kicking your arse for the past few days." Riley gasped, acting like someone had just insulted his ancestry. "You are no Lady!" I winced at that. He didn't know how right he was. At first I had worried that the guys might figure out Alex's true gender while sparring, but it had yet to happen even after eight days. The only comments I'd been forced to listen to when we parted was that 'her' chest was disappointingly small. Besides that everything was going completely fine. My men were more motivated during training with a 'woman' to impress. Alex was holding his ground and improving rapidly. We were still friends – though the first day after making up had been somewhat awkward. Yet I was not happy. Everything felt too calm. Like walking in a silent forest, the animals having fled from a large predator.

The Generals here were busy deciding who should join them and would lock themselves away for most of the day. All we could do was wait anxiously for their decision.

Of course, I had some ideas of who might be chosen. Among the possibilities I hoped that it would be Mercus. Though I didn't know him very well personally, I still liked him as a fellow Squadron Leader. He had heart while still being a fearsome warrior. Truly, he would be the best choice.

"Oh, sonuva bitch!" Riley cried as Alex yet again put him on the ground. "You were saying?" he taunted, as he stood over Riley's writhing body. Not letting him get away Alex sat down on his back, making him grunt at the discomfort. "Maybe you're the one who needs a proper arse-kicking? Or maybe I should put you over my knee and spank you like a child." The impish grin on Alex's face only grew as he continued teasing. Riley laughed loudly and glanced around in mock panic, his gaze finally stopping at me. "Siobhan! Help me! A crazy-woman has taken me captive! She's doing evil deeds to my body!"

"I'll show you evil!" Alex said and gave Riley's arse a solid smack, making him laugh even harder. I shook my head at their antics, but couldn't hold back a smile. It made me obscenely happy that my men - that were almost brothers - liked Alex. It felt right that all the people who mattered most to me should like each other. "If a woman can defeat you, then you should still be getting spankings like a boy," I said to Riley, then went to get the practise swords. Alex was very good at close combat, but it was like no one had ever bothered teaching him how to wield a sword. It was odd as I thought it custom everywhere for noblemen to be taught, but perhaps Alex's country was also different in that regard. Foolish as that would be. Nevertheless, I was going to teach him now. The skill would be a great help in any combat situation.

"Okay, let's be serious now." Alex and Riley both got up and dusted themselves off while the rest of my men got ready. "We'll be using swords today. First we'll do some one-on-one sparring, then we'll split into two teams and fight until the other one is defeated. You know what counts as a deathblow, I want no cheating," at this I looked at Riley who had a penchant for pretending he didn't get hit badly, "this must be as realistic as possible. While you fight one-on-one I'll be teaching Alex what to do so she can join the final fight too." The guys whooped and slapped each other's backs. Evidently Alex would be the main target, I'd better put him on my team then so I could take the brunt of the attacks. "That okay with everyone?"

"Yessir," Riley rushed out and mock saluted. The other's rolled their eyes at him too, but it was with fondness. The young man was like the little brother of our group. You could always count on him to help lighten the mood and take you out for a drink when your spirits needed lifting.

They all spread out and slowly began their fights. Sometimes I liked to just watch them and admire the skill. There was nothing quite like seeing proficient warriors practising their art.