but put the notion in Holm's head that he should make an outdoor area in the overgrown grassyard behind the building to keep them coming. More gilt to spend.
A few beginners practiced settling into their balance off to one side. And the young nobles he'd met the day before who came with their fathers had stayed to hang around. Now they occupied half of the mat as they squared off in twos as sparring partners.
Stopping with Lark in the center of the room, Holm studied her. The Healer robes she wore gave her good range of movement, but not as much as fighting robes. "Time for your first lesson," Holm said.
"What are you talking about?"
"All of our women learn to fight," he stated.
"All of your women."
"The women who wed into our Family. And if guys marry my female cuzes, they have to hone their skills, too." He knew his grin held an edge. "The FirstFamily GreatHouse Holly has run to male Heads of the Households for generations."
"Maybe that's part of the problem."
That rocked him back on his heels. "You think?" Actually made him pause. But he could still feel the press of emotions behind his eyes. A lack of control here and now was not possible even with his beloved HeartMate.
"Perhaps you're right," he said roughly.
She stared into his eyes, said, "That's the first time you referred to the Hollys as your Family and your traditions. I'm proud of you."
"They're my former Family."
Her head tilted. "Perhaps you don't have the name anymore, but no one can deny that you have the blood, or the Flair that comes down through the blood."
He grunted, stretched tense muscles. "You stretch, too."
She nodded. "All right."
And she did, very well, and he thought of something else. "How long has it been since the Head of your House, the House of Hawthorn was a female?"
Chuckling, she shook her head, "Too long, I think, also, but we are not them. We're younger, more flexible mentally and emotionally." Her chest rose and fell and she said, "Being able to speak of the Hollys in a near conversational tone, is a big step in our Healing."
"Ah." He slanted her a glance, took her hand and sauntered back to the middle of one pad. "Show me your best defensive moves."
She blinked. He smacked a wet kiss on her lips, murmured to her, "See, you'll grow, too. You won't be the same woman as you were before the feud between our Families."
Her eyes widened. "You're right. Though since I've received my HeartMate and experienced and Healed during the feud, those events changed me, too. As will being the Head of the Gael City HealingHall and living here, living with Clam, two Fams and you." She brushed a kiss over his jaw. "But, yes, through this activity alone, I'll change. I'll change directly because of you. Because I never would have trained for fighting before."
He offered the smile he saved for her, along with a little heat in his eyes and through their bond. "You'll learn better balance and defense ..."
"And personally experience how a body moves and feels in a fight," she responded ruefully.
He angled his head in agreement. "That's right."
She stroked his cheek. "Worth it." Then narrowing her eyes, she said, "I still know more anatomy than you."
"Perhaps."
Holm glanced around the area, and people who'd been watching them, most faces showing approval. He took a couple of paces back. "All right, let's see it."
Appearing flustered, she adjusted her Healing robes, then did an acceptable basic self-defense drill.
Before she turned her flushed face to him, Holm let out a quiet sigh, glad to his marrow that the feud ended.
Then he went up and worked with her quietly for a half-septhour, focusing on her, but aware of most watching his teaching methods. Luckily, he felt as if his G'Uncle Tab looked over his shoulder ... and patience came easily for his lover.
She smelled of all the best herbs when they walked back toward the atrium, her Healing robes having released scent when she sweated. When he sniffed, he figured she might just have more herbs bespelled in her clothes than he. And a couple he didn't recognize as anything except Lark ... or Healer.
With one clap of her hands, she gathered their Fams, who'd been jumping and rolling with the beginners and their trainer, and said, "I'm using your office scrybowl."
"Right."
He watched her hips move under her long tunic and trous as she entered his office and closed the door.
Then people thronged