24 Like Minds

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CHAPTER 24

Sensing the change in Aragorn's attitude, his eyes dimmed a fraction at him as he responded with a calm voice, "You should know why I am here," Blaine stated.

"I should but I do not want to assume. Mind you, these matters are not ones that should be rushed at will."

"I know but you and I know that this may be rushed," Blaine countered.

Releasing a deep sigh, Aragorn shook his head briefly. "Fine."

Gesturing towards the chairs in the room, Aragorn waited for Blaine to take the lead before following closely behind him.

Once seated, he was ready for their conversation. "So, mind stating it plainly now?"

"Yes. The reason why I am here is because of King Jared."

"Hmm."

"I do not know about the others but I believe you out of everyone should have a better insight on things. Everything and something tells me he would not sit back and wait for the assembly's action," Blaine pushed.

"I know he would not be giving this a rest. His pride is too hurt."

"No. Not just that."

Hearing Blaine speak in such a deep serious tone, Aragorn's gaze darkened. Without being told, he was sure Blaine knew a thing or two about something else.

Either that was a piece of information he was well aware of, or that wasn't. Either way, Aragorn planned to find out.

If the peace of the realm was going to be destroyed from inside out and worse, with the Assembly of kings scattering, then he needed to plan well and first, in order to ensure all such scenarios were avoided.

"Tell me, what are your guesses?"

"His advisor, the dragon warlock, Zephyr. I cannot help but wonder what he would do."

Aragorn's face turned grim at that thought. Blaine was right. Having Zephyr who had his only daughter kidnapped, could pose a great threat.

"For all we know, he could pass on his hatred to Jared, he can push Jared into fighting for this."

"That is a big probability but they should know, that rushing in to do anything stupid, would be and always will be stupid. If the Dragon King gets wind of such, then there is every possibility that killing his daughter would be the first point of action."

"Not if they can stop it first," a deeper voice echoed out.

Both of their eyes raised up for a second before darting to either side of the room while trying to figure out where the voice came from.

Seconds later, Aragorn heaved out a deep sigh as he reached up to his forehead and massaged his temples gently.

"Azriel, until how long would you hide? Come out now," Aragorn ordered.

"What?" Blaine asked in shock. He could not believe that even after the spell Aragorn placed, Azriel could still enter.

Worst, he wasn't able to sense him either.

'Just how strong is this mage king anyway? That was elven magic and one that couldn't and shouldn't have been broken easily. Sigh, I feel foolish to not have sensed him but then, Aragorn didn't either.'

To their amazement, they felt the wall on the left hand begin to go soft, forming a whirl at the centre.

Before Blaine could utter any word, a hand came out from the whirl, followed by a pair of legs, and then his head and body.

Standing before them was none other than the magnificently looking mage king — a sorcerer whose powers were second to none amongst his people.

"My apologies, your majesties," he said with a hand crossed over his chest as his upper back lowered to greet them.

"Eavesdropping is not a good quality of a king," Aragorn cautioned lightly.

"I am sorry, but you would have to forgive me, your majesty," Azriel began as he straightened his back and cast a long gaze at Aragorn.

"Do not forget, we were supposed to eat and discuss right after the assembly. I did tell you on our arrival on the first day that when this meeting is over, we shall eat and catch up."

Blaine averted his gaze from Azriel to Aragorn, waiting to get any response from the elf king that all he heard was true.

"Oh, I recall. Yes, my apologies but… you shouldn't have snuck in and eavesdropped on us as you did," Aragorn stated, shooting him the same warning glare.

"My apologies. However, I was going to visit like a nice person when you cast the illusion spell. I was already in your room."

Both Blaine and Aragorn sent their glares at him at the same time. This time, it was way deadlier than the last Aragorn had sent.

Didn't he know how to use the front door? If he noticed a spell being set up, why didn't he leave?

"Not an excuse," Blaine blurted out.

"Pff," Azriel puffed out some air into the atmosphere as his lips pulled to the side revealing a friendly charming smile.

"Forgive me but you are kings. Do not tell me you have not for once noticed or assumed that your conversation had been snuffed out and eavesdropped on by your subjects."

He arched his brows at them, waiting for an answer. But when the deadly look in their eyes softened, a subtle knowing smile filled his lips.

"Better. Regardless, I was curious and I apologize. I never intended to eavesdrop all through. I was going to make myself known."

"Stop ruining your apology with excuses," Blaine cut in, holding up his hand to stop Azriel.

"That's enough. Come take your seat," Aragorn offered.

"Thank you." Taking his offer, Azriel crossed the space between where he stood and where they sat, ignoring the annoying glances Blaine tossed his way.

Once seated, he caught sight of Aragorn giving apologetic glances at Blaine. The whole scenario was funny to him but he tried his best not to laugh and kept it all in.

However, no matter what he did, it did not escape the sharp eyes of the elf king.

"What's so funny, Azriel?"

"Huh?" Azriel turned his head to the side with parted lips as he tried his best to feign ignorance but the second his eyes landed on the serious-looking Aragorn, he gulped hard.

"Answer me."

"Well…" His voice trailed off while he pondered on whether or not to fall prey to such threats and answer them.

"Well?" Both Aragorn and Blaine asked in unison, not giving him an opportunity to escape.

"Hehhee, that," he chuckled softly. Seeing their expression darken, he swallowed hard and shove all smiles away from his face.

"Just promise me not to go bunkers," Azriel pointed out as his gaze swept through both of them alternatively, waiting for their positive response.

Once he got it, he heaved out a satisfied sigh and spoke up. "You both look like a cute couple."

0_0

"Yeah. You two look cute together…"

"Aish!" Blaine hollered at him, shocking the latter. "If you were just going to say something stupid, then you should have just kept quiet."

"Hey, I wanted to, but your curious nature got me speaking."

"My curious nature?" Blaine snarled at him.

"No. I mean your darl…" he took a quick pause before he committed atrocities with his mouth. "No, I mean him," he said, pointing at Aragorn.

"You are not helping your case," Aragorn and Blaine voiced together.

"You see…" He shook his head at them. They just didn't understand nor did they see what he saw.

Sigh!

"Never mind, before you two eat me raw and prove my point, can we get back to what you were discussing? I am happy not only I have this same concern."

"Fair point," they chorused at once, again.

At this point, Azriel was tempted to facepalm himself but doing that would incur the wrath of the unanimous king.

"I think we have to do something quickly. Our eyes must be on them and prepare to intercept any action they may want to take," Azriel suggested.

"Fair point. However, I am also considering, that if the life of one child can make him want to go against the Assembly of King's decision, then that one life is extremely precious," Aragorn pointed out.

"Exactly," Blaine agreed, giving a slight nod of his head. "We should also hasten our plans and save her."

"That would be best. Who knows, this meeting may need to happen sooner than expected. the Dragon king, no," Azriel shook his head. "Both Dragon Kings won't be patient."