Chapter 7
Monroe
One could say that a positive about living on Treasure Ridge was that I would be close to work.
Another positive was that it was where the winter solstice festival had been moved.
It was within walking distance of all of the houses here on Treasure Ridge, including ours.
It was being held in an open meadow behind the council building, and by the time Oscar and I made our way there, the celebration seemed to be in full swing.
“Do you know any of these people?” I asked as we joined the others. The ground was cleared from the snow, something that I was certain was magical since not only could I still feel the magic, but there were several inches of snow everywhere else.
“Possibly. I know a few people in the council, but I haven’t really had a lot of time to hang out with them.”
I brought Oscar’s hand to my mouth and kissed it through the glove he was wearing before I gave it a gentle squeeze. “Then let’s go see if we can find them. If not, then maybe we can make some new friends.” I pulled Oscar along with me, wondering who everyone was and if I’d ever get to know them.
“Are you cold?” Oscar asked. “Would you like some hot eggnog or maybe a hot tea?” Oscar pointed to a brightly lit tent that appeared to be a concession tent of sorts.
“If you would like something to drink, then we most certainly will go and join in the festivities.”
“I was asking you. You’re the one I’m worried about being cold.”
I leaned down and kissed Oscar on the forehead again. His lips were so very tempting, but I knew I certainly wanted our first-ever real kiss to be a bit more private because I was certain I wasn’t going to be all that great at it.
“Let’s go grab something to drink and see if they have anything else. I’m excited to experience your customs and things. Do they do this every year, do you know?”
Oscar and I started toward the tent that seemed to be quite popular, and as we grew closer, I could see and smell why.
“I think they did last year. I’m not sure if it’s an every-year thing or if they just started recently. I’ve not really been too involved in much. I haven’t had time.”
I hoped to be able to lighten his load and give him a good life.
That was all any good mate should want for their life partner, and hopefully, I would be able to provide that for Oscar, our siblings, and any children we should have together.
I wasn’t who I was several years ago, and I really hoped that now I was ready for these things.
I felt ready, and it was my desire to be a good mate and provider.
“What would you like?” Oscar asked. I saw a handwritten sign behind a table that was supposed to be a serving counter.
“Whatever you’re having,” I told him. I could read the sign but didn’t necessarily know what certain things that were on it were.
We reached the front of the line, and Oscar told the person behind the table what we wanted. When he asked about payment, we were informed there was no cost, that the council was funding the celebration, and we were welcome to come back as often as we wanted.
I took a cup and a bag that was handed to me and waited for Oscar to do the same before we found a table toward the front of the tent and sat down. I opened the bag and pulled out two different pastries. “What’s this one?”
“That’s the donut. It will be either apple or pumpkin. Which did you ask for? I didn’t quite hear you because I was busy reading the menu board.”
“I asked for pumpkin. I don’t know what that is, so I thought I would give it a try.”
“You don’t have pumpkins in your realm?”
I shook my head. “We have apples and other fruits, but I do not recognize the word ‘pumpkin.’” I pulled the donut to my nose and gave it a deep smell and closed my eyes in appreciation. “Whatever this is, it smells amazing.”
“They are. I got the apple cider one though, so if you’d like to try mine, you’re welcome to.”
I grinned at my mate. “That’s sweet of you.
I do not wish to take your treat. I am happy with this one, I believe.
” I took a bite and nodded as I started to chew.
It was certainly different from any flavor I’d ever eaten before, but I enjoyed it immensely and decided I would need to find out more about pumpkin donuts.
These were delicious, and I certainly wouldn’t mind eating more of them.
We ate our donuts, followed by a three-pack of cookies each, and drank our eggnog. I discovered that I personally didn’t care for it and wouldn’t ask for more, but I gave it a try for my mate.
Once finished, we disposed of our cups and bags and left the tent to go explore.
The area was decorated with magical lights all around the area; there were games with prizes, a giant bounce house that the children were giggling and playing on, and an area that others seemed to be climbing and then sliding down on round plastic things.
“Those are sleds?” I asked, pointing to the others as they shouted as they came down the large pile of snow.
“Saucer sleds, yes. Did you want to give it a go?”
I thought about it for a moment or two but then shook my head.
“If it’s something you wish to partake of, I’ll gladly wait at the bottom here for you.
” It wasn’t that it looked dangerous—it didn’t.
But I wasn’t sure I should try something of that nature when I was so unsure of the others around me still.
I didn’t know anyone here, and what if I somehow came off as unprofessional before I even started my new job?
I couldn’t take that chance. I needed to ensure that I could provide for not only my siblings but now Oscar and his two as well.
I had a family, and I couldn’t risk jeopardizing my position here.
“We can go do something else,” Oscar said, his voice pulling my attention away from those sliding down the hill.
“I don’t wish for you to not have fun while here. It was my idea to come in the first place. If you want to give it a go, I’ll wait here.”
Oscar shook his head. “Nope. Let’s go do something else. How are you at playing games?” Oscar grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the sledding hill, and we went back to the area that seemed to be filled with games.
“What’s the purpose of these?” I asked as we walked slowly through the different game stations.
“To have fun. Maybe win a prize or two.”
“What shall we try to win?” I asked, pointing to a couple of different games.
“Well, I think that Maelie would like a stuffie,” Oscar said. He still had my other hand and pulled me toward a game that had a wall of balloons behind it.
“What is it that we need to do?” I asked.
“Throw the dart, pop the balloon, and if you break enough of them, we get a prize.”
“Sounds easy enough.” Oscar and I moved up to the counter when space became available, and we were both given a set of darts. I watched Oscar pick one up and throw it toward the balloons, and when it hit it and the balloon popped, I got the idea of the game.
I joined in on the fun, and when it was all said and done, we had both hit the majority of our balloons, and we were both given a prize.
Oscar won a stuffed polar bear, and I was handed a stuffed tiger.
Both were cute, and I had to agree with him that Maelie would certainly love them. Mason most likely as well.
We took our prizes and moved on to the next activity, which I actually found the most fascinating.
“These are absolutely gorgeous,” I said quietly to Oscar as we walked among the blocks of ice that had been carved into various shapes.
There were dragons, gargoyles, bears, wolves, different types of large cats, and what looked like some sort of wolf but not. I stopped in front of it.
“That’s a hellhound,” Oscar told me. When I pulled my eyes from it, my attention was immediately taken by the snow that suddenly started falling. I glanced up briefly but looked back to my mate with a smile on my face.
“A hellhound?”
“Yes. When I was rescued with Chase and Eli, it was by a hellhound. He wasn’t the only one, but he was one of them that rescued us. Actually, if not for him, I wouldn’t be here because we were being held in a basement in New Orleans.”
I wasn’t sure what that actually meant, and it obviously showed on my face.
“There aren’t basements in New Orleans because the city is below sea level.
They flood. The only reason that particular basement wasn’t flooded was because of the demon who had us.
He had some sort of magical stone or something.
It was keeping the place from flooding. Probably some other things as well.
But when the stone was taken away, the basement started to fill with water in a hurry.
We were locked inside a room with bars for a door. ”
What he was telling me was actually terrifying.
The thought that he could have been trapped in a basement while it was filling with water…
I shook my head. It did no good for my mind to wander in that direction.
I needed to focus on now. We were both here, on this mountain, together.
We were about to start a new adventure together.
I wouldn’t fret over what happened in the past. I would be supportive of my mate if he was still dealing with what happened to him. I wouldn’t dwell on it though.
“So you were rescued by a hellhound.”
“Yes. I’ve seen him and the other hellhounds a couple of times while they were on runs or when I was up here and one of them would be doing patrols. They all take turns, as far as I know.”
That was incredibly interesting. I hoped to one day meet this hellhound and was given the opportunity to thank him for what he did for my mate and the others he rescued at that time.
“What do you want to do now?” I asked. “Would you like to continue with the sculptures and other games and things?”