léonie ♡

“Let me get this straight,” Nina said. “You haven’t kissed me because the setting isn’t suitably romantic?”
“This isn’t about romance . A proper kiss, a proper courtship. There’s a way these things should be done.”
“For proper thieves?” The corners of her beautiful mouth curled and for a moment he was afraid she would laugh at him, but she simply shook her head and drew even nearer. Her body was the barest breath from his now. The need to close that scrap of distance was maddening.
“The first day you showed up at my house for this proper courtship, I would have cornered you in the pantry,” she said.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Matthias,” Nina said breathlessly, and then they were kissing again.
She was sweet as the first rain, lush as new meadows. His hands curled along her back, tracing her shape, the line of her spine, the emphatic flare of her hips.
“Matthias ,” she said more insistently, pulling away.
He opened his eyes, certain he’d made some horrible mistake. Nina was biting her lower lip—it was pink and swollen. But she was smiling, and her eyes sparkled. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all, you glorious babink , but—”
Zoya cleared her throat. “I’m glad you two found a way to spend the time while you waited.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“You’re very welcome, Nina Zenik. You may repay me in the customary way.” “Waffles?” “Lots of them.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

“Inej placed her hands on Nina’s shoulders. “We’ll see each other again.”

“Of course we will. You’ve saved my life. I’ve saved yours.”

“I think you’re ahead on that count.”

“No, I don’t mean in the big ways.” Nina’s eyes took them all in. “I mean the little rescues. Laughing at my jokes. Forgiving me when I was foolish. Never trying to make me feel small. It doesn’t matter if it’s next month, or next year, or ten years from now, those will be the things I remember when I see you again.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom