The forest was growing dark when he reached the tree to find the angel sitting in front of a dead fire, shaking with cold.
“You couldn’t add wood to the fire?” Rhyn asked, irritated by the helpless creature.
“I tried,” Toby chattered.
Rhyn started the fire again and sat beside Toby. He handed him the bag of clothing and food. Toby withdrew the clothing skeptically.
“Are these women’s clothes?”
Rhyn looked at the articles of clothing the angel held up, unconcerned.
“The coat is pink and there are purple hearts on the sweater,” Toby said. “I think I’d rather freeze to death.”
“It’d make my life easier.”
The angel sighed, dumped out the food and sorted through it. He held out a can finally and Rhyn took it.
“Can’t open it,” Toby said.
Rhyn ripped it open with his teeth and handed it back.
“So what’s the plan?” the angel asked. “Are we raiding the castle?”
“Soon,” Rhyn replied, dwelling on his conversation with Death.
“Thank you, Rhyn. I expected you to abandon me. Kris says you don’t know how to care for anyone else and Hannah said -”
“Fuck them.”
“Yeah, fuck them. They were mean to Mama,” Toby said. “Can I tell Kris to go fuck himself when I see him again?”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
“I know you don’t want me here, but I’m glad I came. I like you best of all, Rhyn. Maybe I should call you Dad. Or Pops or Father.”
“What?” Rhyn demanded.
“You’re Mama’s mate. Do you like Pops better?”
“If you call me any of those things, I’ll hang you upside down from this tree and watch you starve.”
“You should get used to it, though, Pops. What’ll you do when your daughter is born?”
“Daughter?” Rhyn echoed. “Katie’s …” dead. At least, she was for another four days. If Death kept her word, Katie would be back. “How do you know Katie will be alive in four days?”
“Really, Rhyn? You think she’s dead?” Toby asked and rolled his eyes. “She’s alive now. I told Kris and Hannah the same thing. No one listens to me.”