Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (z-lib.org).mobi

the herd. They aren’t ordinary animals.”
And you’re no ordinary tracker, I thought but didn’t say. I watched him,
thinking of what the Darkling had once said about not understanding our own
gifts. Could there be more to Mal’s talent than just luck or practice? He’d
certainly never suffered from a lack of confidence, but I didn’t think this was
about conceit.
“I hope you’re right,” I murmured.
“Now you answer a question for me,” he said, and there was a harsh edge to
his voice. “Why did you run?”
For the first time, I realised that Mal had no idea why I’d fled the Little
Palace, why the Darkling was searching for me. The last time I’d seen him, I’d
essentially ordered him out of my sight, but still he’d left everything behind and
come for me. He deserved an explanation, but I had no idea where to begin. I
sighed and rubbed a hand over my face. What had I got us into?
“If I told you that I’m trying to save the world, would you believe me?”
He stared at me, his eyes hard. “So this isn’t some kind of lovers’ quarrel
where you turn around and go running back to him?”
“No!” I exclaimed in shock. “It’s not … we’re not …” I was at a loss for
words and then I just had to laugh. “I wish it were something like that.”
Mal was quiet for a long time. Then, as if he’d reached some kind of decision,
he said, “All right.” He stood up, 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.