Close To Their Mate

The lights from the illucara reflect off the inky surface, and I could just make out the ripples of the water as it hit the ground in front of me. 

A squirming sensation in my hair made me almost scream out, but I bit it back at the last second. 

'Water!' cried Nox, practically vibrating against the back of my neck. How I had forgotten about him, I had no idea. But now I was starting to wonder just how hungry he was if he hadn't been able to feed lately. 

"Go ahead," I murmured, gently pulling him off my shoulder and crouching down until my hand almost touched the water. Without needing any other encouragement, he jumped off my fingertips and disappeared into the darkness.

Everything inside of me wanted to follow him, to wash the dirt and the past few days off me, but until I got an all-clear, I wouldn't be touching the water. 

The last thing I needed was another Nox appearing and trying to eat me.