Healer Lark Collinson hates the street duelling that is a way of life among the noble families on Celta -- it was just such a skirmish that killerd her Healer husband and left her a grieving widow. The last thing she wants is to lov a man to whom fighting is a way of life -- a man like the brashly confident Holm Holly. All it takes is one brief touch for Holm to know that Lark is his HeartMate, though wooing her will be his greatest challenge. For not only does she despise everything he represents, but the long-standing feud between theri families has exploded into even greater violence. Their destiny has been revealed...but at what cost to their own hearts?