Who is Nikanj from Lilith's Brood and what is their importance?

Nikanj is Lilith's ooloi mate. Lilith is paired with Nikanj when it is a child. Lilith is with Nikanj while it begins to go through its metamorphosis and stays with it until it is an adult. Lilith does not realize that staying with an ooloi during its metamorphosis will cause her to be bonded to it in such a way that she can never be apart from it. Nikanj cares for Lilith and she eventually grows to love it although she never seems to truly forgive it.