She needs a companion.

A single clawed finger came up under his chin. He swallowed hard and felt a slight burning sensation when his neck touched her claw. "I desire companionship," the creature's mate snarled, her eyes focusing on his, her lips pulled back menacingly. "Every year, on the anniversary of my beloved's murder, you will return to me and take his place. For a full day and a night, you will be mine."

Her finger turned and trailed down his neck, making it itch and crawl, until it found his gold ring. Hooking onto it with her talon, with a quick jerk, she yanked his necklace away. Holding it up, it dangled freely between them, and she sneered at it. "You will show me greater love and affection than you have... for your mate," she continued, spitting out those words like they were poison in her mouth. "Do this for me, and you will be free of my songs."

His eyes were locked onto his ring, his mind filling with thoughts of his wife. Just behind it, he saw the creature's mate frown darkly, and the tentacles coiled around him even tighter, the hooked barbs finding purchase on his skin. Finding it hard to breathe, he fought to keep himself from wincing. "And if I refuse?"

"I kill her," she responded almost instantly, her words as cold as ice and as emotionless as the dead, her eyes unwavering as they buried into his. "And then your children. Your family. Your village. Your entire kingdom." Her face was unreadable as it came within inches from his. "No matter where you go, where you hide, I will find and kill everyone and anyone you meet. Be they beast, man, monster, or god." Her other hand came up, and grabbed hold of his chin, making him shiver from how cold and clammy it felt against his skin. Her tone was firm and resolute, informing him that those were no idle threats. "Refuse me, and you will suffer the same crushing loneliness that I have endured, for the rest of your life."

Wiglaf's eyes narrowed as his blood ran cold. He swallowed a dry throat, and his body started to shake. He tried to speak, but a finger on his lips silenced him. The creature's mate shook her head at him, and he felt himself being lowered onto the ground.

Her eyes locked onto his face, she glided backwards away from him, her tentacle legs wriggling rapidly the ground before slipping silently into the water, "I give you this time of peace to make your decision, Wiglaf, Son of Gunnar," she said, descending downwards into the darkness, her body fading before his very eyes. "If you do not return by sun-down tomorrow, I will know your answer." Her head dipped below the surface, with barely a ripple to tell him that she was even there.