Beyond the walls (Ruby Rose)

°5°

"Countess Rose, the carriage is ready. Shall we pack yours and Lady Griffiths' trunks?" The butler asks as we finish our breakfast.

"Yes, thank you, George. We'll leave as soon as that's done." Ruby replies kindly. She then turns to me and smiles.

"I recommend you get a book to read. It's a long trip ahead and I don't want you to get bored."

"I won't get bored. I'll be talking to you." I kiss her cheek and grab my new coat, the weather is getting colder by the day. Luckily it's still autumn so we won't freeze to death during this trip.

"Ok dearies, you be careful out there. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold." Pepper says in a motherly tone as she hands us each our gloves and a basket. "I packed you some food so you don't get there starved. Have a safe trip my dears. And be careful of those pesky hunters."

We each hug her before walking down the stairs to the carriage, settling down comfortably inside as the coachman closes the door and makes his way to his seat upfront. I look at Ruby confused about what Pepper warned us about.

"What does she by being careful of hunters?"

"Well, there is a small handful of people that believe that vampires have to be rid of. So they hunt us down like in those books about vampires and supernatural creatures. They use whatever myth they believe will help like garlic, a holy cross and holy water, and wooden stakes. Most of that stuff doesn't actually work; the holy water and cross don't do much because we're not actually evil satanic creatures that we're painted out to be, the garlic just gives us a bad stomach pain and if we're being logical, anybody would die if they had a wooden stake pushed into their chest."

I give her a frightened look. I don't want anything bad happening to her. I'd lose my mind if a stupid hunter tried to attack her.

"Don't worry, love." She says with a slight laugh at my sudden overprotective mood. "They won't find us. And even if they do, they'd need to prove that I'm actually a vampire, which they won't succeed in giving that those so-called 'tests' don't work on hybrids."

I relax at her reassurance and lean back into the chair with a light breath of relief as the carriage starts moving out of the driveway and gate, taking a route to Calchester.

"You worry more about me than yourself sometimes." Ruby says softly as she kisses my forehead and lays me one her chest with an arm around me. She crosses her legs and I feel slightly envious at the ease of doing so since she's not wearing a layered dress like me and has more movement of her legs in her black slacks and heeled boots.

"I envy you right now. I wish I had gotten pants too so I can be more comfortable for this trip."

I hear her laugh and feel the vibrations of the heavenly sound in her chests making me smile widely.

"Well, then we'll get you a pair when we are in Calchester. I'm sure there are good tailors willing to sew a woman some pants. Besides, it's not like they will refuse the money."

We laugh once more and remain silent for a long while. Just closing our eyes and listening to the sound of the birds outside and the wheels on the dirt road.

I then start thinking about a few things about my new life. Just a few days ago I was just a poor maid that would clean up huge fancy houses of the cruel wealthy society and now I live in one of those houses. Except this one looks far more tasteful and elegant and is owned by a kind and gorgeous woman that cares for and treats me like a human being. I never thought I'd actually see the day that the words coming out of someone of high status wasn't a command or a racial slur or an insult directed to me. It surprised me sometimes when she would say something sweet or whisper in my ear or hug me close to her with no disgusting intentions. This is a total shift in my life and I am truly grateful for her.