The Forbidden Touch From the Abyss (EDITING)

Chapter 25

Jule was brought to a large brown table, it had no chairs. The horsemen had just sat down on the floor, their legs crossed like horses when they sit down. So that meant her and Ace had to sit on the ground with them.

Thelon sat Ace with him, who then sat Jule with him. Jule glared at Ace, he was getting on her nerves and he knew it. Many other centaurs began rushing forward, they carried a barrel. One that sort of looks from the movies, she wondered if it had alcohol in them. 

When they reached the table, the horseman immediately held out their cups in wait for their drinks. It confirmed what she thought, there was booze inside that thing. Jule had only one drink ever in her life, it was good, it was strong. That one drink made her head feel a bit fuzzy, and she didn't like it. She loved having control of her own mind, she couldn't think of any other way. 

When the men got to Ace's and Thelon's cup, they both drank immediately. Simultaneously, they slammed the wooden cup on the table. Jule shook her head, she knew she was going to regret this. What bothered her most was the fact that Ace had lied to one of his mentors. Just to please him. Jule was going to ask when he would speak the truth, but he ignored her until they were actually there. 

Jule wasn't fond of being avoided, but she didn't understand why Ace was being a coward at that moment. He's strong, bold, and fierce. She couldn't understand him not showing any of that first. She glanced at Ace, he was happily drinking and speaking with Thelon. He seemed peaceful, he looked like he belonged there. In this world. 

He had been raised here for years, had gotten to know almost everything they encountered. Ramus and Thelon trained him as a special hunter. He's skilled for this world, belonged there. In hers, he stayed for a few years just because he was scared to go on his own will. He was dying to go back, but it was the chance of seeing his father that stopped him. He was scared to, wanted to get rid of his father's image in his mind. It was too tragic.

He was feeling pain, and wonder all those years. He had claimed she was his reason for going back, and he was right. He needed someone to come with him, someone besides himself to have the courage to go back to Neco. He thought he could avoid his father, ask the queen for help and leave. At the gate outside of the castle, he hadn't expected for his father to show up there and welcome him inside. 

When he had confronted his father, he had been angry but sad. Relieved, but worried. Bold, but scared. It blatant he felt so many emotions. His parent, only parent, left him without notice. Leaving him suffering, worrying where his father had went. Jule doesn't know much of his mother, but she could tell Ramus was the only person that mattered to Ace. 

"You didn't want me wondering for the rest of my life why my father had left me, so you pushed me to confront my father even when I wasn't willing to myself." His eyes became soft. "I appreciate that."

Jule immediately looked over at Ace, she couldn't help but feel something churning inside of her. It was the worst unexpected thing she'd ever felt. It was endearment, she never felt nothing like it. Ace made her felt like...she loved him? She looked away, and shook her head. She had a boyfriend, who's been with her for a few months. 

Nate had to be the only one for her, that was what she had always thought. So why feel things for Ace now? She liked Nate, she really did. But...

"Jule, what's wrong?"

She looked at Ace, he was frowning but his eyes were shining. It was a clear sign he was drunk. Jule snickered, grateful to focus on something other than her feelings. Ace seemed to think there was nothing wrong, and laughed himself. Except his laugh was more loud, screechy. It was hilarious.

Jule clutched her stomach as she laughed harder, she never wanted to forget a moment like this ever again. She actually wanted to tell him tomorrow, but had a feeling he would ignore her or deny he would so...careless. Ace suddenly grabbed a hold of her hand, and dragged her away from the table.