--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’ve never understood this taste for…" description: "\"“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His hea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otk_216680.jpg" --- # I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it… ![“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His head snapped up. He hadn’t expected that. Saints, it was satisfying.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otk_216680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otk_216680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otk_216680.jpg) > ““I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His head snapped up. He hadn’t expected that. Saints, it was satisfying.”” [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The protagonist’s unexpected attraction reveals hidden desires, showing how sudden connections can be both shocking and satisfying. **In simple terms:** Unexpected attraction can surprise and satisfy. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected emotional moments. Themes romance self‑discovery surprise character growth Mood intense curious Type literary romantic When to use this quote - relationship dynamics - character arcs - plot twists Key Concepts desire identity emotional intensity Questions to Reflect On - What does this attraction reveal about the character’s inner conflict? - How can sudden desire affect decision‑making? A Different Perspective Such moments may conflict with character goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alina-starkov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) [Darkling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkling/) [Long Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-taste-2223994/) [Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste/) [Taste Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste-head-2223993/) [Taste Otkazat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste-otkazat-2223992/) [Understood Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-taste-2223991/) ## Related quotes > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Why waste my anger on you when the fault is mine? I should have anticipated another betrayal from you, one more mad grasp at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/why-waste-my-anger-on-you-when-the-fault-is-mine-i-should-have/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“He’d wanted me to believe in his ruthlessness. Then I remembered his words from so long ago: Make me your villain. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/he-d-wanted-me-to-believe-in-his-ruthlessness-then-i-remembered-his/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“He leaned against the window, and the gilded frame came into sharp focus. “Do you think it would be any different with your tracker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/he-leaned-against-the-window-and-the-gilded-frame-came-into-sharp/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-seen-what-you-truly-are-said-the-darkling-and-i-ve-never-turned/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“It’s true,” I said softly. “You are stronger, wiser, infinite in experience.” I leaned forward and whispered, my lips brushing the shell of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-s-true-i-said-softly-you-are-stronger-wiser-infinite-in-experience/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Cream and Silk as one, How I long to taste and touch, The moon watches us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-house-of-yahwehght/cream-and-silk-as-one-how-i-long-to-taste-and-touch-the-moon-watches/) [The House of Yahwehght](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-house-of-yahwehght/) > [“And the Darkling?" "I tried to kill him." "As one does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-the-darkling-i-tried-to-kill-him-as-one-does/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Then the memory of the Darkling's kiss blew through me and rattled my concentration, scattering my thoughts like leaves and making my heart swoop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/then-the-memory-of-the-darkling-s-kiss-blew-through-me-and-rattled-my/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“So I'm the Darkling's prisoner?" "You're under his protection." "What's the difference?" "Pray you never find out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/so-i-m-the-darkling-s-prisoner-you-re-under-his-protection-what-s-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I'm sorry we don't visit more often. There's a war on and, well, no one likes you." The Darkling touched a hand to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-sorry-we-don-t-visit-more-often-there-s-a-war-on-and-well-no-one/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You sound just like the Darkling." "If you ever have trouble telling us apart, look for the person who isn't torturing you or trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-sound-just-like-the-darkling-if-you-ever-have-trouble-telling-us/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I got used to seeing him waiting for me at the end of corridors, or sitting at the edge of my bed when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-got-used-to-seeing-him-waiting-for-me-at-the-end-of-corridors-or/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“The stag had been showing me my strength-not just the price of mercy but the power it bestowed. And mercy was something the Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-stag-had-been-showing-me-my-strength-not-just-the-price-of-mercy/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“The Darkling just stared out into the waves. I considered shoving him over the railing. Sure, he was hundreds of years old, but could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-darkling-just-stared-out-into-the-waves-i-considered-shoving-him/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More by Leigh Bardugo > [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More Alina-starkov quotes > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-the-sun-summoner-it-gets-dark-when-i-say-it-does/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I told them you hate herring.” “Why?” “And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-told-them-you-hate-herring-why-and-that-you-love-plum-cake-and-that/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've seen what you truly are," said the Darkling, "and I've never turned away. I never will. Can he say the same?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-seen-what-you-truly-are-said-the-darkling-and-i-ve-never-turned/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Browse all 37 Alina-starkov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a taste for you, once.” His head snapped up. He hadn’t expected that. 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