Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)

by Laini Taylor

Zuzana snorted. “Of course. And I sign everything Mrs. Mikolas Vavra, with a heart dotting the i.” Mik said, “Huh. I like the sound of that.” She punched his shoulder. “Please. If you ever did ask me to marry you, don’t even think I would identify myself as some addendum of you, like an old lady signing her rent check with perfect penmanship as Mrs. Husband Name—” “But you’d say yes, is that what you’re saying?” Mik’s blue eyes twinkled. “What?” “That sounded like the only quibble is what you’d call yourself, not whether or not you’d say yes.” Zuzana blushed. “I didn’t say that.” “So you wouldn’t marry me?” “Ridiculous question. I’m eighteen!” “Oh, it’s an age thing?” He frowned. “You don’t mean wild oats, do you? We’re not going to have to take some stupid break so you can experience other—” Zuzana put a hand over his mouth. “Gross. Don’t even say it.” Mollified, Mik kissed her palm. “Good.” She spun on her heel and walked on. Mik gave the huge puppet a tug to get it rolling again, and followed. “So,” he called to her back, “just out of curiosity, you know, purely conversation and all, at what age will you be entertaining offers of marriage?” “You think it’ll be so easy?” she called back over her shoulder. “No way. There will be tasks. Like in a fairy tale.” “That sounds dangerous.” “Very. So think twice.” “No need,” he said. “You’re worth it.” And Zuzana’s face warmed with pleasure.

Zuze & Mik are the sweet filling in a dessert that you didn’t expect. . And it’s gloriously understated and strangely light & oddly perfect.