Shadow and Bone

stretched, and slung his rifle over his shoulder. Then he drew a
thick wool blanket from his pack and tossed it to me.
“Get some rest,” he said. “I’ll take the first watch.” He
turned his back on me, looking out at the moon rising high
over the valley we had left behind.
I curled up on the hard ground, pulling the blanket tight
around me for warmth. Despite my discomfort, my eyelids felt
heavy and I could feel exhaustion dragging me under.
“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 thought I heard him whisper, “Always.”
I let sleep take me.