(48) Two vampires, a ghoul and a shifter.

"What do you want," Roderick asked, looking up from what he was working on with a frown. "I'm rather busy right now, Linden."

"Yeah, well you can stop being 'busy' and talk to me." Without invitation, Linden sat down in the chair beside Roderick's desk to stare at him.

"Linden, I'm not in any mood for your games. Now, out."

"No." Linden crossed his arms over his chest.

With a sigh, Roderick asked, "Alright, what do you need to talk about?" Then a light dawned. "You and Helmut had a fight and you want me to intercede. Not happening. What goes on between the two of you, the two of you have to handle on your own."

Linden's eyebrows rose in derision. "The way you and Piers handle your problem?"

"We don't have a problem," Roderick hissed.

"So that's why he's fading away, barely feeding, spending most of his time sequestered in his room like a hermit? Because everything's hunky dory with him?"

"He's what?" Roderick looked at him in shock. "Why hasn’t anyone told me about this before now?"

"Why haven't you seen it for yourself? I'll tell you why, because you spend all your time these days trying to avoid him. God damn it, Roderick, when are you going to pull your head out of your ass and realize that loving him is no one's business but yours and his. No one, no one has the right to tell you how to live your life. And that, sir, includes the personage you call 'King'."

"I'm one of his subjects, damn it!"

"No, you're his slave, under his thumb," Linden countered, getting to his feet, leaning on the desk to glare at Roderick. "Hell, I have more freedom than you do. Does that tell you something?"

"Because Piers isn't a despot," Roderick spat out. Then he realized what he'd just said.

"Exactly." Linden looked at him with pity. "Think about that, and then make a decision on what's more important to you, the love you have for Piers, or some false notion that the King has a right to rule your life."

With that said Linden turned on his heel and left the room, leaving a very surprised and thoughtful man staring after him.