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Her dress was woven from pearls and seafoam.
Childe reached towards her, some unexplainable sense of yearning coiled in his gut, urging him onwards. His feet seemed to sink with every step he took, greedy quicksand holding him back, threatening to swallow him whole – his voice bubbled up in his throat, desperate. “Wait!”
She glanced over her shoulder at him, her blonde hair whipping about her face, the grey clouds overhead crackling with lightning. “Who are you?” he shouted, thunder rumbling low in the sky; she simply smiled, her expression serene, and turned away once more, looking out at the sea.
Don’t go, he wanted to say. It’s dangerous. Dark waves crashed against the rocky cliffs nearby, the earth crumbling in the face of nature’s fury – this slender girl with hair like spun gold would never survive, not if she stepped away from the shore now. And he didn’t want her to die.
There was something he had to tell her, unspoken words teetering on the very tip of his tongue. He didn’t even know her name, but he had to do something. He couldn’t just let her slip away.
The waves drew her forward, her bare feet bringing her closer to the edge of the sea. He stared as the water swirled around her ankles, her white dress fluttering in the howling wind – she was calm, relaxed, her arms reaching towards the heavens, welcoming the inevitable storm.
Come to me. A voice that seemed to be both everywhere and nowhere. Come to me as the sun does, rising from beneath the waves. Find me, and I will give you everything you desire.
He lunged forward, fear and desperation burning through him, forcing his feet to rise out of the sand, and she turned to face him, her hands still raised, lightning crackling behind her, the sky flickering white. She smiled, her lips parting, the beginning of a goodbye –
And then his eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air, still able to feel the rain lashing against his skin.
He remembered their meeting with terrible clarity.
Seawater burnt in his mouth, crashing over him as he struggled towards the shore, the pouring rain making it impossible to see. The gritty sand pressed into his knees, and he grabbed one of the smooth, round pebbles on the beach, turning it over in his hand.
He had never felt more relieved to reach land, and painstakingly he hauled himself onto the rocky shore, groaning as his aching body protested the movement. His clothes were plastered to his skin, the chill of the sea seeping into his bones, and he slowly pushed himself to his feet, trying to gain his bearings.
Where was he? This island wasn’t one he was familiar with. He had no idea where he was – he could barely even fathom the severity of his situation. One moment, there had been clear skies all around, and the next, they were adrift in the midst of a terrible storm, lightning clawing down from the heavens towards the prow of the ship, waves taller than the castle’s walls threatening to break apart the deck.
The crew was shouting, voices muffled by the deluge, trying to tie things down, men slipping and falling as they struggled to seek shelter below the deck. He remembered being ushered down by one of the sailors, but then another bolt of lightning pierced the sky and for a second, he was completely blinded, his world turned white by electricity –
And then the ship groaned and tilted, and he was falling, plummeting into the gaping maw of the swirling ocean below.
Childe wasn’t sure how he managed to survive. Instinct spurred him on, his floundering hands seeking out the first solid thing he could grasp. He pushed himself onto the chunk of driftwood, the salty seawater spraying across his face, and then he just shut down, closing his eyes as he rode across the churning waves, hoping this wouldn’t be his last venture out to sea.
Now, he collapsed onto the rocky shore as he coughed, his body trying to expel the water he had inhaled. Shivers wracked his body, so violent that he was almost convulsing, and he curled up on the beach, trying to pull himself together. He had to figure out his next steps. Perhaps there would be someone around to help him, and then he could start making his way back home.
But he was so, so tired. He didn’t know how long he had been stranded at sea – hours maybe, or possibly days. It was hard to keep track of time when he was constantly drifting in and out of consciousness. His vision was blurry, from both the rain and his exhaustion, and breathing hurt. It would be so easy to just shut down again. To lie here on the beach and never wake up.
Something was shaking him. A flicker of annoyance lanced through him, and he tried to groan, too tired to muster the energy to turn. His lips parted, but no sound came out – moments later, coolness flooded his mouth and instinctively, he swallowed, the haze in his mind receding with every gulp. Some part of him noted that the liquid, whatever it was, tasted faintly sweet.
“Come with me,” he heard. A lilting voice that rang distinct from the rumble of thunder. He tried to turn, tried to look for his mysterious saviour, but then he felt softness cover his eyes and his whole world turned dark. Like he was sinking once more into welcome unconsciousness. “Don’t worry. You’ll be safe now.”
When he next opened his eyes, he was in what appeared to be a cave.
Childe propped himself up on his elbows, narrowing his eyes against the flickering firelight as it threw shadows across the rocky walls. His body radiated pain, and he couldn’t prevent himself from hissing as he turned his head, the soreness in his neck unfamiliar and disconcerting.
“You’re awake.” He glanced in the direction of the voice, recognising it as the one he had heard out on the beach. There was a girl sitting away from the fire, her face cast in shadow – all he could make out was her golden hair, hanging loose around her hips, her upturned palms resting on her knees. “How are you feeling right now?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” It hurt to talk, the salt having scrubbed his throat raw. He swallowed and winced, trying to ignore the distinct throbbing at the base of his neck. “Who are you?”
“I’m just one of the inhabitants of this island. No one special,” she answered, turning her hands over so that she could grip her knees, her skin illuminated by the fire. “Who are you?”
“My name is Childe,” he said, wary of telling her too much – it seemed that she was his saviour, but until he figured out where he was and what she intended to do with him, he’d prefer not to reveal any information about himself. “Our ship sailed into a storm and I got flung off. The next thing I knew, I was washing ashore here. Did you happen to see anyone else on the beach?”
“No, I did not.” Her voice was soft and melodious, and he couldn’t help but lean in a little at the sound of it, mesmerised by its natural song. “Where are you from?”
“Teyvat,” he answered, finally mustering the strength to push himself up from the ground. There was a wooden bowl beside him, filled with some mysterious purple liquid, and he glanced at it, suspicious. He could smell a faint, herbal aroma emanating from the bowl. “Where am I?”
“This island has no name,” she said. “There are few of us who live here. We tend not to receive much contact from the outside world. You’re the first visitor I’ve had in a while.” There was a pause, and then she laughed, the sound gentle and lulling. “You should drink some of that. It’ll help you recover your strength.”
“What is this?” he asked, cautiously taking hold of the bowl, wrinkling his nose as he held it up to his nose. The herbal scent was pungent, and it made his stomach churn.
“Essence of wolfhook. It’s good for you,” she said. “Drink it and recover.”
Wolfhook. He knew of those berries, though they were rare where he came from – he sniffed at the bowl again, suspicious, but then he decided that if she had wished him harm she could have just killed him in his sleep, rather than wait until he was awake and able to fight back.
So he lifted the bowl to his lips and drank, the strange taste of the medicine making him frown – bitter, but he could detect the same undertone of sweetness from earlier, when he was lying on the beach and someone forced liquid down his throat. “Why did you save me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked in return, sounding amused. “It would do my conscience no good to let someone die when I am more than capable of intervening.”
He hesitated, still reluctant to let down his guard. The fire flickered, tongues of flame leaping out in front of him, and he placed the empty bowl aside, strength and warmth seeping through his body. “Why are you sitting so far away? Let me see your face.”
The girl sighed. “Are you sure, Childe? Some things in this world are best left as mysteries.”
It was strange, hearing his name in her voice. She made that single word sound like poetry, and something lurched in his gut. “I’m sure. I want to see the face of my rescuer.”
“Very well.” She got up from the ground, her movements fluid and graceful, and then she took a step towards him, away from the far end of the cave – his breath caught in the back of his throat as he stared, all thoughts fleeing his mind when he saw her.
She was heartbreakingly lovely, with honey eyes that reflected the burning embers and a gentle smile that sent heat rushing straight through him, making his chest tighten.
But at the same time, something about her threw him off – she was too beautiful, he thought. It made him uncomfortable.
“Do you like what you see?” she asked, approaching him, stepping in front of the fire. Her body was silhouetted by the flames, throwing her face into shadow once more.
He wasn’t sure how to answer that. It sounded more like a challenge than a question. “What do you expect me to say?”
“The truth.” She knelt beside him, her hand reaching towards his cheek – he couldn’t pull away in time, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to anyway. Her fingers were cool and soft, and against his will, he shivered, drawn in by the tenderness of her touch. “Do you want me, Childe?”
“What…” He swallowed, the pain in his throat duller now, probably due to the medicine. “That’s not the kind of thing you should say to someone you just met.”
“You can have me if you want, you know,” she murmured, leaning in, her amber eyes capturing his. He couldn’t tear his gaze away. “I saved you, so I deserve a reward, don’t I?”
“If you want a reward, then sure, I can try to give you one. But what you’re asking for right now is ridiculous –” he started, and then his voice died in his throat as she placed her hands on the hem of her white dress, lifting it over her head in one swift, elegant motion.
Her body glowed against the firelight, and he bit his lip, hard enough that he thought he drew blood. “But I want you as my reward,” she told him, her voice soft, alluring. “It’s my turn to help our village bear children, but I’m tired of our men. So help me father a child. Please.”
He found himself wavering, unable to resist when she presented all that smooth, flawless skin to him, tempting him with her proximity. “But I don’t want to stay here and raise a child. Would you be all right with that? If I were to leave?”
“You don’t have to worry.” She leant in, her breath ghosting against his ear; he shivered, unable to stop himself. “Our entire village raises our children. One missing man won’t make a difference.”
That was all the convincing he needed. Seized by desire, he reached for her, his hands grasping her shoulders, and she let him push her down, her back cushioned by the leaves littering the cave’s floor. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him in, and when their lips met he couldn’t help but sigh, giddy from how sweet she tasted, almost like honey.
When she whimpered into his mouth he tightened his grip on her, unwilling to let go. Dazedly, he sank into her, his hands roaming her naked curves, caressing skin so soft it felt unreal. She moaned at his touch, the musicality of her voice making him tremble, and he drew a breath, the scent of rain and the ocean breeze filling his lungs.
Her lips were sinful, and she murmured his name against his mouth, their kisses feverish with intensity. A strange sense of desperation surged through him – this girl was not one he could turn away from, no matter what responsibilities he had back home, no matter what he felt about his parents’ expectations.
He didn’t even know her name. But that wasn’t important. His heart was throbbing in his chest, and it hurt to breathe; she caught his face between her hands and stared at him, an unspoken challenge in her eyes, and he nuzzled against her shoulder, unable to resist the siren call of her bare body.
“Take me,” she told him, her fingers twining through his hair, her hips jerking up to meet his. He shuddered, the undisguised want in her voice making his head spin, and he slid his hand down her waist, his fingers roaming across the delicate skin.
“Not yet,” he whispered, and she blinked, staring inquisitively up at him – he kissed her, greedy for more of her sweet little moans, and as she arched into him he let his hand slip between her thighs, his fingers stroking gently down her sex.
She flinched, and he noticed the surprise on her face, surprise that quickly morphed into desire as he sank his fingers inside her, entranced by her welcoming warmth. Her hands dug into him once he started to move, and he hissed as she clenched tight around him; when she tensed up he instinctively sought her mouth, swallowing her cries as she came undone around his fingers.
But he wasn’t done with her. There was still much more he wanted to explore, and so he began to kiss his way down her body, lingering at her breasts, her flat tummy, down her thighs and legs, to her lithe, shapely calves. “You’re stunning,” he rasped, mesmerised by her – she sighed, her amber eyes glazed over as she watched him, her body shuddering whenever he let his lips graze her sensitive skin.
“You should just…lie with me already,” she managed to say when he lifted his head, his fingers swirling up her calf, inciting yet another soft moan. “We don’t have that much time.”
“Before?” he asked, crawling up over her, enjoying the way she tensed beneath him, her lips pressed into a thin line as she bit back another whine. She seemed shocked to realise how sensitive her body was – which was odd, given how straightforward she had been when she was propositioning him. “We have all the time in the world.”
“That’s what…that’s what you think,” she gasped, jerking as he leant his head down, his mouth latching onto her nipple. “No, not there, it’s –” And whatever she had wanted to say was drowned out by her sudden wail, her hands flying up to fist his hair as she pressed his face against her chest.
“Let me hear more,” he whispered, raising his head, grinding his clothed hardness against her sex. She let out an exquisite whimper, one that made heat surge through him, made him dizzy with need. “I want to hear everything.”
“I can’t…” She seemed to be having difficulty speaking, her chest heaving as her hands settled on his shoulders, propping him up. “No more. Just lie with me. Please.”
The plea in her eyes made his breath catch, even as he trailed his fingers down the curve of her waist, making her shiver against him, her cries lodging in the back of her throat. “If that’s what you want,” he agreed, sliding his pants down his hips. “If this is the reward you seek.”
She parted her legs, enticing him, and he lined himself up with her wet folds, letting the tip of him nudge against her. She rolled her hips, encouraging, and with a hiss he sheathed himself inside her, moaning as her velvet warmth wrapped tight around him, sucking him in.
The sensations that rocked through him were both familiar and foreign. Her warmth was unlike that of any other girl he'd slept with before – she was sleek and tight and so perfect that for a moment, he couldn’t remember his name. All he could think about was how sublime she felt around him, how he wanted to hold her close and keep her in his arms forever.
“Stay with me,” he hissed into her ear, thrusting into her, revelling in the way she cried out for him, her arms wrapping around his neck. “Come back with me. I’ll take good care of you.”
She shook her head, eyes wide, her lips parted as she gasped for breath, and then her eyelids fluttered as his hand slid down, finding her clit as he moved again, insistent and demanding. “I can’t,” she told him, her nails digging into his arms. “I can’t leave this island.”
“Who do I have to convince?” he breathed, a sensual whisper before he lowered his head, pressing open-mouthed kisses down the vulnerable curve of her neck. “I’ll do anything.”
“You can’t – you cannot change their minds,” she insisted, even as she hid her face against his shoulder, her legs wrapping around his hips, refusing to let him go. “It’s impossible.”
“Try me, pretty girl,” he growled, snapping his hips forward. She gasped, her body tightening around him, and once more he found her clit, his thumb rubbing circles around the stiff nub. He wanted to make her come for him, wanted to see her falling apart as he spilt himself inside her. “I haven’t told you much about myself, but…” he paused, meeting her gaze, his free hand reaching up to cup her cheek, “I always get what I want.”
Then he kissed her, and she moaned into him as her body arched upwards, her thighs wrapping tight around his hips. He could feel her trembling, her hands clawing down his back, the faint sting of pain keeping him grounded – her eyes were hazy, her lips slightly swollen from his kisses, and he thought about keeping her by his side, dressing her in fine robes and silks as she woke up beside him in bed, her long blonde hair spilling over their pillows –
A final thrust and his mind went blank, his breath leaving him in one long exhale as he found his release deep inside her. She was still shivering, and when she looked him in the eye he could see bewilderment in her expression, in the set of her mouth. But she didn’t try to push him away, so he stayed on top of her, buried inside her, slowly drowning in her scent.
When he finally recovered, he held her, picked the leaves and rocks out of her hair, then found her dress and handed it to her, averting his gaze as she put it back on.
Afterwards she spoke, her voice quiet, and he glanced at her, startled by her sudden solemnity. “You have to go. There are boats near the shore – I will show you where, but you must leave now.”
“What? Why?” he protested, settling beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “What if it didn’t take? And you didn’t manage to bear a child? I should stay just in case, right?”
She huffed, though the sound turned into something closer to a moan when he reached down between her thighs, gathering his seed and pushing it back inside her – he liked the thought of her being filled by him, and he wanted to see her round with his child, her belly soft and full.
Maybe he didn’t have to leave straight away. Or even better, she could come with him. He didn’t care much for siring descendants – he had siblings to do that, his family’s bloodline was in no danger of dying out – but he wanted her. And if children were what she wanted, then children he would give her. As many children as she wanted. His groin throbbed at the thought.
“Didn’t you realise?” she cried, exasperated. “Are all mortal men such fools?” She pulled away from him, and he reached for her, his fingers skimming her arm – she glanced over her shoulder at him, her eyes narrowed. “I’m not human, Childe. I cannot bear your children.”
He blinked, the implication of her words not quite sinking in. “You’re…not human?”
She shook her head. “Did you not find the storm strange? How it was sunny one moment, and pouring the next?” Her amber eyes seared him. “You were meant to reach these shores. Meant to be found by me. Meant to let down your guard so I could have an easy meal.”
A chill ran down his spine. “An easy meal?” he echoed, his eyes flicking over her face, trying to find a hint of humour. Something, anything to show that she didn’t mean what she said.
“Yes.” She trailed a finger down his arm – her touch was soft and delicate, but her skin was still so cold despite the warmth of the fire, despite everything they had done. “Human flesh is a delicacy to us. Rare, for most are not foolish enough to visit our shores. There is a reason your cartographers do not place this island on maps of the sea, little one.”
“What are you?” Perhaps he ought to be afraid, but he was more curious than anything. Her hand paused, and she blinked at him, surprise flitting across her face. Then her expression softened.
“A nereid,” she said. “A daughter of the ocean.”
“If you cannot bear children, then why did you ask me to sleep with you?” he asked. That was the part which puzzled him the most.
“It is much more enjoyable to devour men after sex. When the taste of satisfaction still runs hot through their blood,” she answered, her lips curving into a smile. But just as quickly, her smile faded. “I would have killed you too if you didn’t treat me the way you did. The others only ever sought their own pleasure, getting ready to leave the moment they were done.”
“Because I want you to stay with me,” he answered, pulling her closer. She didn’t resist, though her gaze continued to pierce him, searching. “I don’t care that you’re a nereid or that you enjoy eating people. If you were willing to leave –”
“But I am not,” she murmured, reaching up to cup his cheek, her thumb sliding down his jaw. “I have family here. I will not abandon them. And you have to go.” Her gaze flitted to the entrance of the cave, and he could sense the nervousness radiating off her, making him tense. “My brother is coming. He knows I should be done by now. If you don’t go, he will find you, and he will not treat you as kindly as I did.”
“I’m not afraid of your brother,” he said. “Let me convince him. I can change his mind.”
She stared at him, incredulous. “No, you cannot. And believe me, Aether would sooner rip your heart out of your chest than willingly negotiate with a mortal.” She bared her teeth at him, and he noticed with awe just how sharp they were, more than capable of stripping his flesh off his bones. “Leave now. I will not be as polite the second time.”
There was a ring of power in her voice, compelling him to rise and trudge towards the exit even as he fought against the magic, trying to make his way back to her. “Go,” she repeated, darting past him out of the cave. Her long blonde hair whipped around her as she ran, and he reached for her, unwilling to let her go just like that. “I’ll distract him. Go, or all this will be for nought.”
He wanted to ask her where, how she expected him to know his way around a place he was so unfamiliar with – but then the magic that had trapped him in place released its hold on him, and suddenly he knew exactly where the boats were.
Childe shook his head, dragging his hand across his eyes. If she thought he would let go so easily, she was sorely mistaken – but when he tried to take a step in the direction she had gone, he found himself unable to move, and he let out a growl, frustrated by how helpless he was. What was she doing now? Why couldn’t he just stay here, hidden from the others of her kind? Surely there was a way for them to be together, but she gave up without even trying, and it irritated him.
Grumbling, he headed towards the shore, keeping an eye out for the boats she had mentioned. Even if he left, he would be able to find his way back eventually. It was just a matter of when.
Through some miracle, Childe managed to sail back home, and his parents embraced him with tears in their eyes, relieved that he hadn’t drowned at sea.
But he continued to think about the nereid, about her golden hair and her honey eyes and her soft, knowing smile. How she welcomed him to her, how he had made her gasp for him as he slid himself inside her waiting warmth, how he wanted to hold her again, wanted the ocean breeze to fill his lungs –
His parents didn’t let him go to sea for a while, and even after his ban was lifted, no sailor was keen to follow him. He was bad luck, they said. The only one who managed to make it back from his expedition. So Childe simmered in the castle, unhappy about being landlocked. Impulsive he might be, but even he knew better than to set off without a ready crew.
Sometimes, he thought about the nereid, wondered what she did after she abandoned him. If she was still seducing men unfortunate enough to stumble across her island. If she beckoned to them, the way she did him, begging them to sire her child – if she allowed them to sink deep inside her before she caught their faces between her hands and devoured them, their corpses collapsing limply on top of her.
Every time he thought about that, he’d have to excuse himself, slipping away from his family so he could find relief in the privacy of his bedroom, his fingers fisting his bedsheet as he wrapped his hand around his length, imagining her touching him, imagining her mouth on him. He thought about her brilliantly sharp teeth, about the darkness lurking in her eyes, and he would come all over his hand, messy and wanting.
He didn’t even know her name. He had never asked for it. It was one of his biggest regrets.
One day, when he woke up he swore he heard her voice brushing against his ear – a gentle, soothing lullaby, carried to him by the ocean breeze. He stumbled out of bed at once, changing impatiently into a fresh set of clothes before he ran out of the castle, following her song.
Her voice brought him to the beach, warm golden sand stretching for miles and miles in front of him. For just one second, he could see the dark stretch of a rocky shore superimposed over the sand, but when he blinked, the rain-dark pebbles were gone.
Instead, he heard something crying. Sharp and shrill, like a lost kitten searching for its mother. The nereid’s voice was silent now, but instinct demanded that he find the source of the sound – whether to look after the creature or to put it out of its misery, he wasn’t sure.
He walked along the beach, the wailing growing louder and louder, and eventually, he came across a basket hidden behind a shallow rock pool, covered by a woven blanket. He knelt beside the basket, his heart sinking as he reached for it – part of him already suspected what it contained, but still, he pulled the blanket aside, wondering what gift the nereid had left for him.
A screaming infant. A few months old, it appeared, and as he stared down at it, it hiccuped, those lonely cries finally going silent. He leant forward, gathering the baby in his arms, its auburn wisps of hair uncannily similar to his own. Was this his child? But the nereid had said –
Then the baby smiled and opened its eyes, and immediately he stopped thinking, mesmerised. “Looks like I have no choice but to raise you now,” he murmured, tickling the child’s nose. It giggled, reaching up for his hand, and he studied its face, unable to tear his gaze away.
Eyes the colour of honey looked back at him, a perfect replica of hers. He swallowed, glancing at the ocean, watching the blue waves rolling peacefully onto the shore.
How despicable of her, to leave him with a permanent reminder of herself when she was so far away, still unwilling to stay by his side. Childe turned back to the infant, reminded of its mother’s brilliant smile, and he exhaled, tightening his grip on the tiny bundle.
“Maybe I should name you Aether. After her brother. What do you think?” he asked, and the baby gurgled, sounding pleased with his suggestion. He smiled. “Aether it is, then. Let’s bring you back to meet the rest of the family.”