She reluctantly accepts

For a minute or two, Lux silently considers her options. Few and unfavourable as they feel, in this moment. Wander the woods alone, naked, with dwindling supplies, or trust in the promise of a creature right out of a cautionary tale. Maybe a fey can’t lie, not outright, but surely, surely that’s not the best choice…?

Trees and fog press in from every angle. The murky world of the Valley feels enclosed, stifling. She can’t bear to stay here. Even if this chance of getting out feels incredibly slim.

“If I say yes,” she asks slowly, “where are you going to take me?”

“It’s a seee-cret!”

“What am I gonna find when I get there?”

“Not tell-ing!”

“Will it be safe?”

“Safer than heee-ere!”

“Fuck.” Lux shakes her head. That’s a point she can’t entirely deny. Everything here seems to be out to get her, except for Willow – and maybe even her…

“If I say yes – will you be able to keep up?” she asks Minn.

“Oh, sure.” Minn shrugs lightly. “I mean, I’m not about to miss this. So you’re gonna—?”

“Gimme a minute.” Lux closes her eyes, then opens them again sharply, relieved to see that the nereid didn’t make a sudden dash. No, she can’t trust this spirit. But – of all her available choices right now –

An idea strikes her, and she delves into the backpack again, sorting through potions. This one – sea-green, fizzing with bubbles even before the cork is popped. She braces herself and gulps it down; it’s salty with a faintly acid aftertaste.

Nothing happens at first; then an odd fizzing sensation down her neck, behind her ribs. The sign, hopefully, that she can breathe underwater – for now…

“All right.” She rolls the bottle aside, grabs up the faerie lance, and hauls herself to her feet. Remembering, of a sudden, that she’s naked and that her knees are less than reliable at the moment.

Unsteadily she picks her way down the riverbank, hesitant at first—

—but as the nereid begins to lift herself up from the water, those doubts become increasingly faint. Almost without meaning to, Lux finds herself putting one foot in front of the other, stumbling. A prickling sensation down the back of her skull, across all of her skin, anticipation, wonder, as she lets herself sink into the water…

The nereid glides towards her; slow, not aggressive. The see-through film of her treasured shawl frames her lithe body perfectly, a vision of aching primordial beauty. Slender arms reach out, soft hands gently grasp Lux’s shoulders, and Lux can offer no resistance as she is drawn closer. The lance, her only weapon, pried from her unresisting fingers.

“Silly mortal,” the river spirit whispers, “do you think drowning is the only thing I could do to you? Oh, the fun we’ll have…”

A shivering gasp is Lux’s only reply, tremors of nameless sensation rippling through her body. Not even lust; she’s not worthy to lust after this wondrous creature. Awe, to find that she is being touched, embraced, feeling a blessed warmth, the nereid’s heartbeat as their chests press together…

And then the irresistible pull brings her head under the water, into the rushing dark.

Now the fun can begin.