Chapter 7 Nerion
Nerion
The dorm was quiet as I trudged up the stairs, still irritated about the whole debacle with the werewolf. Clearly someone in the music department was lying about the rooms being soundproof. That or the one I was in had been damaged in some way. I’d never had an issue before.
I fished my key from my pocket, dreading the talk I’d have with the Dean in a few days. It would be a lecture about responsibility, about the dangers of my voice, and all the same warnings I’d heard a thousand times before. As if I didn’t already know the risks better than anyone.
When I opened the door, I was surprised to find Linden already there, sitting cross-legged on his bed surrounded by what looked like plant matter and twigs.
“There you are!” he said, looking up with a bright smile that faded the moment he saw my face. “Whoa, what happened? You look pissed. Did you find out they closed down the pool for the weekend?”
“What?!” I barked. Apparently today was just not going to be my day. “Fuckin’ great,” I muttered, dropping my bag and collapsing onto my bed.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Wanna tell me what happened?” Linden pushed.
I let out a long sigh, turning my head just enough so my face wasn’t jammed into the pillow anymore. “I was in one of the soundproof rooms in the music building and accidentally enchanted a werewolf. Had to take him to Nurse O’Malley to get him un-enchanted. The Dean’s going to want to see me.”
Linden winced. “Shit. I thought those rooms were supposed to be completely sealed?”
“Yeah. So did I.” I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. “The guy was convinced I was his mate. Started professing his undying love right there in the hallway.”
“At least you got him help quickly,” Linden offered, always trying to find the silver lining. “And no one else was enchanted, right?”
“Yeah,” I sighed, rolling onto my back to stare at the ceiling. “Small mercies.”
I watched as Linden carefully wove together what looked like bark and twigs, his fingers moving with practiced precision.
He hummed softly as he worked, a gentle melody that made the materials seem to bend more willingly to his touch.
Unlike my voice, his magic was nurturing, creating rather than compelling.
“What are you making, anyway?” I asked, grateful for the distraction.
Linden’s face lit up. “Oh! I almost forgot why I was waiting for you.” He held up what I now realized was a half-finished mask. “I started working on this as soon as we talked about the Halloween party.”
I pushed myself up onto my elbows, suddenly curious despite my foul mood. “Really? I thought you were just talking hypothetically about the mask.”
“When do I ever talk hypothetically about crafting?” He grinned, his green skin catching the light in that strange way it did sometimes, golden patterns shimmering across his cheeks. “I’ve been thinking about designs ever since you mentioned possibly going.”
I sat up fully now, my earlier frustration temporarily forgotten. “Let me see it.”
Linden stood and brought his creation over to me.
What I had mistaken for random plant matter was actually an intricate framework of living materials.
Thin branches curved elegantly to form the shape of a half-mask, while delicate vines wove through them, creating texture and depth.
Small buds were placed strategically throughout, not yet bloomed.
“It’s not finished,” he explained, turning it in his hands. “When the flowers open, they’ll be this deep blue-purple color that’ll complement your hair and bring out your eyes. The mask will stay alive as long as I maintain the enchantment on it.”
I reached out to touch it, amazed at how the branches felt both sturdy and flexible. “This is... actually impressive.”
“You sound surprised,” Linden laughed. “I told you I’d make something spectacular.”
He placed the mask gently against my face, and I was surprised by how perfectly it fit the contours of my features. It felt cool against my skin, alive in a way no ordinary mask could be.
“What do you think?” he asked, stepping back to assess his work.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted honestly. And I didn’t. The craftsmanship was beyond anything I’d expected. This wasn’t some hastily assembled costume piece. It was art. “It’s incredible.”
Linden beamed with pride, his broad shoulders straightening. “Wait until it’s finished. The flowers will open during the party. I’ve timed the enchantment so they’ll bloom gradually throughout the night. By midnight, it’ll be at its most beautiful.”
I took the mask from him, examining it more closely. “You really put a lot of thought into this.”
“Of course I did,” he replied, returning to his bed to gather the remaining materials. “So this means you’ll definitely go to the party now, right? A deal’s a deal.”
I groaned, remembering my promise. “Fine. Yes. I’ll go to the stupid party.”
“It won’t be stupid,” Linden insisted, his green eyes twinkling with excitement. “It’ll be fun! Music, dancing, magical punch that makes you see sparkles for hours...”
“Sounds thrilling,” I deadpanned, though I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. Linden’s enthusiasm was always contagious, even when I tried to resist it.
“Who knows,” he continued, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, “you might even meet someone there that you actually like.”
I snorted. “Doubtful. But I’ll go. For the mask.” I held it up, admiring it again. “Seriously, Linden. This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Just wait until it’s done,” he promised, a hint of pride in his voice. “And wait until people see you in it. You’re going to turn heads.”
“As long as I don’t accidentally enchant anyone else this week,” I muttered, the reality of my situation crashing back over me.
“You won’t,” Linden said confidently. “Just stay away from the music building until after your meeting with the Dean. And maybe avoid singing in the shower or something.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I placed the mask carefully on my nightstand, already imagining how it would look completed.
Despite everything that had happened today, I found myself actually looking forward to the Halloween party.
Maybe a night of anonymity behind Linden’s incredible mask was exactly what I needed.
“I need to go back to The Grove soon,” Linden said, changing the subject as he packed away his crafting materials. “Want to come with me? Might help take your mind off things.”
I considered the offer. The Grove was Linden’s source of power, the forest he was bound to as a dryad. He made monthly pilgrimages there to renew himself. I’d gone with him a few times before, and I had to admit, the peace of the ancient woods was appealing right now.
“Sure,” I decided. “As long as we’re back before dark. I have another painting to start before the party on Saturday.”
“Deal.” Linden’s smile was warm. “Early morning, then. The sunrise there is worth it, I promise.”
As I got ready for bed that night, I kept glancing at the mask on my nightstand. Even unfinished, it was beautiful. The fact that Linden had created it specifically for me made it even more special.
Maybe the Halloween party wouldn’t be so bad after all. At the very least, I’d have the best mask there. And for one night, I could pretend to be a normal college student that was thoroughly not cursed. I smiled at the thought. One night of normalcy sounded pretty damn good right about now.
“What are you grinning about?” Linden asked as he finished packing away his crafting materials.
“Just thinking that it might be nice to be someone else for a night,” I admitted, running my finger along one of the delicate vines of the mask. “No siren curse, no Dean’s office, no worrying about accidentally enchanting someone.”
“That’s the spirit!” Linden stood up, stretching his massive frame until his fingers nearly brushed the ceiling. The golden patterns on his green skin caught the light as he moved. “And who knows, maybe you’ll meet some hot guy who doesn’t immediately fall in love with you because of your voice.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, because my sparkling personality is such a draw.”
“It is when you’re not being an ass,” Linden countered with a grin. “Which admittedly isn’t often, but still.”
I threw a pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly. Damn tree-man reflexes.
“So what are you going as?” I asked, changing the subject. “Please tell me you’re not just going to show up as yourself and claim you’re in costume.”
Linden laughed. “No, though that would be the easiest option.” He walked over to his closet and pulled out what looked like a bundle of moss and leaves. “I’m going as the Green Man. Ancient forest deity, guardian of the wild places. Pretty on-brand for me.”
“Very on-brand,” I agreed. “So we’ll both be wearing masks of living plants. People might think we planned it.”
“Would that be so terrible?” Linden asked, his voice suddenly softer. “Being associated with me?”
I looked up, surprised by his tone. “What? No. That’s not what I meant at all.” I studied his face, trying to read his expression. “You know you’re basically the only person I can stand in this place, right?”
The tension in his shoulders eased, and his smile returned. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me. At least until graduation.”
“Lucky me,” I said dryly, but I meant it more than I let on.
We fell into a comfortable silence as we got ready for bed. I changed into my sleep shorts and an old t-shirt while Linden did his nightly ritual of watering the various plants that crowded his side of the room. When he finished, he dimmed the lights and climbed into bed.
“Night, Nerion,” he called softly.
“Night,” I replied, settling under my covers.
As I drifted toward sleep, my thoughts returned to the mask and the upcoming party.
For once, I found myself actually looking forward to something social.
Maybe it was the promise of anonymity, or maybe it was just Linden’s infectious enthusiasm, but something about this Halloween party felt different.
Like maybe, just maybe, something good might come of it.
Of course, with my luck, it would probably end in disaster. But for now, I allowed myself to hope otherwise.
Morning came too quickly, with Linden shaking me awake before the sun had fully risen. I groaned and tried to burrow deeper into my blankets, but he was persistent.
“Come on, sleepyhead,” he urged, already fully dressed in what I called his “forest clothes”. They were loose pants and a vest that left most of his green skin exposed to the sunlight. He looked like a hippie yoga instructor. “We need to get going if we want to catch the sunrise at The Grove.”
“I’m regretting this already,” I mumbled, but forced myself to sit up. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. “Give me five minutes.”
I dressed quickly in jeans and a hoodie, grabbing my water bottle and stuffing a granola bar in my pocket. Linden was practically bouncing with excitement by the door.
“You’re way too chipper for this hour,” I grumbled as we made our way down the quiet hallway.
“It’s my natural state,” he replied cheerfully. “Besides, I always feel more energetic when I know I’m going home.”
I glanced at him as we stepped outside into the cool pre-dawn air. “You really miss it, don’t you?”
Linden nodded, his expression growing more serious. “It’s part of me. The longer I’m away, the more I feel... stretched thin. Like I’m fading a little bit each day.” He flexed his fingers, examining the green skin. “You’ve noticed how my color gets duller when it’s been too long.”
I had noticed. The vibrant emerald of his skin would gradually dull to a muted olive if he went too long without returning to his forest. The golden patterns would fade until they were barely visible. It was subtle, but unmistakable once you knew what to look for.
“That’s why these trips are so important,” he continued as we walked toward the edge of campus where the academy’s protective enchantments ended. “It’s not just a visit home. It’s... maintenance.”
“Like refilling your magical batteries,” I offered.
“Exactly.” He smiled, grateful for my understanding. “What about you? Do you ever miss the ocean that way?”
The question caught me off guard. Did I miss it? The vast depths, the currents that could carry you for miles, the freedom of movement that land could never provide?
“Sometimes,” I admitted quietly. “But it’s complicated.
The ocean is different now from what it was when my ancestors lived there.
Humans have changed it. There’s a garbage patch twice the size of Texas floating over my ancestral home now.
” I kicked a stone along the path. “Besides, I wasn’t raised there like you were in your forest. My parents thought I’d have a better life on land. ”
“Do you think they were right?”
I shrugged. “Who knows? Even if I was mad about it, it’s not like I can tell them now.”
“I’m sorry,” Linden said as we approached the teleportation circle. “I didn’t mean to get on a bad subject.”
“It’s okay,” I sighed, shooting him a fake smile that I’m sure he saw right through. “They’re deaths remind me how my kind doesn’t get second chances when it comes to love.”