“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 itdid 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 bloomgradually 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 actuallylooking 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.