Chapter 13 – Muse of Dreams

Frollo flicked at his quill in his slender hands impatiently. In the gloomy amber light of a single candle he sat at his desk pouring over tomes, studying, writing, anything to take his mind off of her. Longingly he looked over at his bed, sleep would not come easily for him this night, not after what happened earlier. It seemed he wasn't abated the least by her sinful act but rather it was all that occupied his thoughts now. A deep hunger growled in the pit of his being for her that consumed him. Frollo rubbed his hands across his long face with a frustrated exhale and smoothed a few silver threads of hair back in place against his head. His attention turned to the door once more and he stared at the dark wooden paneling beset with black gnarled wrought iron. She was close by, so close, in a room just down the hall, sound asleep. So unbearably close. Of course, she would have to stay there, though she protested she was his fiancé now, his to keep, his to protect, but most importantly his. She had to stay. His fiancé sleep on the streets? He would not have it. Where else was she to go? The court of miracles? Frollo smirked. There was no way that bohemian beauty would set foot there now, she was much too smart for that. Despite all his amorous feelings for her, he still wanted to see the destruction of that court.

Focus! He chided to himself, biting his lip and gripping the quill to the point of breaking in his hand. He could not help it; his mind was filled to the brim with desire. His very being burned in torture, he must have her, there was no waiting. Such a perfect beauty, such kindness in her touches, he could not live without her.

Almost without thought he moved, mechanically at first. Grasping for the candle on his desk his dark robes ruffled as he made his way up from his desk and towards the door. The cold metal of the door handle stung his sweating hand as he gripped it so carefully, turning it so slowly as to not make a sound. A pitch-black hallway lie beyond his doorway, and the amber light of the burning candle was dim against it. His footsteps were impossibly quiet, yet his heart pounded loudly in his chest as he moved. Finally, after what seemed like hours of creeping along, he reached her door. Ever observant of the hall to make sure no one else might be about at this late hour Frollo swallowed hard and reached for the handle, already impatient to be on the other side of that door as it slowly swung open.

Finally, the door was opened with a soft creak, and he eagerly entered, twisting his form upon his thin ankles silently he crept inwards pulling the door closed behind him. Ever so gently, he latched the door and clicked the lock carefully. His gray eyes swiveled immediately towards where she was as he held the candle aloft. The warm flicker of flame cast dancing shadows across the room as the bed came into view. He was quiet, like a fox stalking through a meadow on padded soft paws homing in on its prey. In a chair to the right lay Esmeralda's gown and Frollo's stomach churned with a jolt of raw lust as he came to the realization that she was now wearing nothing but the sheet draped over her, like a marble statue covered in a museum. Immediately Frollo could feel his blood start to pound harder in his ears. The thin sheet clung to her figure, letting no curve elude his vision and leaving nothing to imagination. He felt his mouth go dry and the candle started to tremble in his hands with his excitement. Quickly he put his hand over his mouth to dampen the sound of his quickening breath. Just the mere sight of her was setting him on fire, he could already feel a painful ache of want building between his legs.

There was no return from this madness, his mind was made up, and he was going to have her. His fingers splayed, reaching eagerly for her. But before his trembling hand could reach her he heard a low shuffling noise from somewhere close within the palace. Immediately Frollo's mind shattered into pure panic and chaos. He bolted immediately, leaving the candle behind and lunging towards the door, frantically unlatching it as he was terrified of being discovered. He didn't look back even once as he hurried back to his room and crept back in like a scurrying spider into a hole in the wall.

Defeated and out of breath Frollo cursed his misfortune. This was his household, yet he felt like a rat hiding away in the cupboards. With a growl he turned and moved towards his bed before sitting down onto the covers and folding his arms. Frollo's want to upkeep his reputation for piousness had come crashing down on him.

"What idiot is up and about at this hour!?" he muttered to himself with a scowl. Rather than investigate the noise, Frollo had opted to feign sleep.

The pillow was fluffed, cool, and soft, yet it felt as rough stone beneath Frollo's head. He turned and rolled onto his side with a long exhale, he ached, every bit of him. How he wanted to feel her warmth against his cold body, have her smooth skin glide against his, taste her sweet full lips once again. He was so close and yet so far. A painful throb of hot desire pounded between his legs with the mere thought of her and Frollo clenched the covers tightly in his hands.

"Oh Esmeralda, you torture me." He whispered breathlessly to himself.

Within the dark room his eyes lay half open turned towards the high ceiling. His thoughts continued to wander and he found himself within the Duke's manor once more, and found himself seated on that throne of pleasure with Esmeralda at his knees. He replayed the moment again and again only increasing his burning want for her. In his dream like fantasy he craved more, imagining her now in his bed and a fire burning within the fireplace, illuminating her beautiful face and curves with an orange glow. He tangled with her in the sheets pressing himself against her. The fire grew brighter and brighter until suddenly his eyes snapped open in a startle. In the dull and colorless darkness of the room Frollo sensed a shadowy figure move in front of him. Frollo's breath stilled as he recoiled in horror as the figure came closer and reached towards him. In a panic Frollo's hand sprang forth and clenched the wrist of his would-be assassin. A feminine cry came from the figure and Frollo released her out of fright.

"Esmeralda?" he cried in surprise, trying his best to recognize the figure.

As his eyes came into focus there in the dim moonlight of the room stood Esmeralda clutching a white sheet around her, visibly upset.

"Judge Frollo." She whispered shakily.

Frollo stiffened, and immediately fluffed the covers about his waist, trying to hide his ardent arousal from her. He was quite shocked and pleased to see her, but at the same time the feeling of guilt rose up in the back of his throat.

"Yes my dear?" he answered in a weakened voice as he sat up quickly.

"Someone tried to enter my room this night." She said.

Frollo felt a twinge of panic shoot through him. Had she seen him enter? Was she awake that whole time?

"Someone entered your room?" he repeated as if he didn't know.

"Yes, just a moment ago, whomever it was left quickly." She stated.

"Did you see who it was?" Frollo questioned nervously.

"It was so dark, all I could see was the door closing as someone left."

"I see." Frollo said, secretly relieved. He sat forward on the edge of the bed and steepled his hands thoughtfully, pleased with the good fortune of his blunder. "Well…" he said licking his lips thoughtfully. "I think given these circumstances…." Frollo started cunningly. "I think…perhaps it would be best if you slept here." He said reaching out and caressing her bare arm. The gesture was meant to be his attempt at consolation and comfort for her, yet Frollo's true intentions came forth all too plainly in it.

Esmeralda blinked and shifted backwards slowly as she felt his fingers leave a blazing trail across her skin.

"Do you think that is wise, Minister?" she asked him, clutching the sheet around her tighter.

Frollo grimaced for a second, ever aware of his reputation for piousness. He knew she should not stay there, but he felt he would die if she left his side.

"You will stay." he stated resolutely, reaching out and gingerly touching her stomach, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin sheet. How he shuddered as he felt her warmth.

Esmeralda stiffened with his touch, and Frollo noted her gaze turned towards the door no doubt thinking of an escape. With a quick motion his slender hand reached out and gripped her wrist tightly.

"Stay." He commanded once more.

Esmeralda instinctively pulled back from his grip. Frollo responded by only tightening his fist more.

"Please…" she pleaded, wincing from his tight grasp.

"Don't play coy with me girl, don't think you can traipse in here like this and not tempt me!"

Frollo stood up from his bed and towered over her staring deeply into her eyes, his breath puffed against her cheek. His eyes were wild, his gray hair disheveled, his heart pounded in his chest and his blood pounded in his ears.

For a while he just stood and looked at her, refusing to let her go, his breath still in tatters and the blood still coursing through his veins like fire. He began to pull her arm, hand over hand closer to him, like he was reeling her in.

"Minister." Esmeralda whispered, looking up towards him.

Minister, that title she insisted on using, gave him a sharp reminder of just what grave sin he was entangled in. Frollo winced with the mention of it, closing his eyes tightly.

"Don't call me that!" He hissed at her angrily.

"Judge, stop." Esmeralda said pulling back from him.

Frollo was taken aback at the hidden strength within his seeming young and meek consort, she pried her wrist from his tight grip.

"Don't toy with me girl I-" he began but was cutoff.

"I am not toying with you! I am afraid!" she angrily cried while crossing her arms over herself.

Frollo paused, suddenly jolted from his lustful drunkenness to see the fear in her eyes. He sighed heavily and stood from his bed grumpily.

"There is nothing out there! But if it will quell your fears then I shall go and check the halls myself!" He grumbled to himself. "Wait here." He said turning to her.

Out in the halls a very frustrated Frollo briskly walked back down to her door with a new candle in hand. He opened her door to see the empty room and walked a couple steps inward in the darkness. On the stone tile floor lay his extinguished candle from a moment earlier. Frollo quickly looked around to make sure no one was watching and kicked the ivory cylinder beneath the bed to hide the damning evidence of him being there.

With the room back in order he once again exited. As he turned to go back to his room he felt something strange, he felt like he was being watched. His head turned observantly to the hall behind him and saw a black figure slink by in his peripheral. Frollo's heart jumped into his throat. Despite his immediate fear Frollo played it cool and carefully set the candle down on a hall side table and hid himself in a doorway. Fear gripped him tightly for a moment. The fear that a real intruder was within his home. Frollo had made many enemies in his lifetime, so the thought of a would-be assassin was always in the back of his mind. Frollo began to grip the ivory rosary within his pocket, feeling the beads between his fingers as he resolved to not be afraid, but rather angry that someone was within HIS house and interfering in HIS affairs. After a moment he heard the soft patters of someone coming closer. An inky black figure passed in front of him unaware of his presence. Frollo stalked behind the figure of a man, following him closely. Right as the man stopped Frollo pounced, using his rosary to wrap around the intruder's neck tightly.

A struggle ensued and the man desperately gripped at the beads around his neck fighting for air. The man pushed himself backwards and smashed him and Frollo into the wall behind him, but Frollo persisted and did not let up on his grip around the man's neck. After a moment the man's fight slowed and he eventually dropped to the floor. Frollo let go and quickly turned the man over, fearing for a moment that he may have attacked one of his own servants.

But this was no servant of his, this was not a face Frollo was familiar with. He turned his head slightly to see a single golden hooped earring adorning the man's ear. Then to his horror he realized, this was a gypsy.

To his surprise the man was still breathing, albeit shallowly. Quickly Frollo bound the man's hands and feet and rushed to secure an open window he spied. Somehow someone had scaled the stone pillars outside and found an open window on the second floor where they were, he would have some choice words with the night guard for allowing this trash to infiltrate his most intimate space.

Wearily Frollo walked to the wall where a scarlet rope hang and pulled it, summoning his guard.

"Take him to the cells below, you are lucky it he going there and not you!" Frollo told the sleepy looking guard. The unconscious gypsy was quickly taken off to the jail cells below and Frollo was left alone once more with his thoughts. Frollo carefully picked up the ivory beaded rosary from the floor and kissed it with his thin lips before slipping it back into his pocket.

When Frollo returned Esmeralda was still clutching the white sheet around her. She quickly stood up from where she sat on his bed.

"What was it? I heard a scuffle." She said with concern.

Frollo steepled his hands in thought and walked closer to her, eyeing her suspiciously.

"It was a gypsy. No doubt come for you." He said with raised eyebrows and an accusing stare. "No need to worry, I dispatched him accordingly." He said with a small smirk.

"Wha- who- are you alright?" she said in shocked surprise.

"So tell me, Gypsy, how long until you cut off my head while I sleep!?" he said angrily. "Your goal was to seduce me so your accomplice could strike me down!?"

Esmeralda stood silent at his accusing glares and gave her own angry glare back.

"If I had wanted to, I could've easily killed you the first night you brought me to your home, a simple dagger tucked in the folds of my skirt could've sliced across your throat while you slept." She drawled angrily.

Frollo gave an incredulous look while grasping at his exposed neck.

"Where is he? I would speak with him!" She said walking towards him.

"In the cells below, where perhaps you should be!" Frollo's face contorted in anger.

Esmeralda ran past Frollo out of the room and quickly threw on her slip from her dress. Frollo stood at his doorway watching her questioningly as she left down the hall to find the downstairs dungeon.

Away from the opulence of the top floor and stones of the prison were grimy with filth. Away in a cell she spied a prisoner whom she was familiar with. The body of Clopin, the truant king sat in a cell chained to the wall. Now conscious the Gypsy king's darkened face brightened when he spied Esmeralda at his cell.

"Oh mon Dieu! I am glad to see you Esmeralda!" he said.

"Clopin, are you alright?" she asked him eagerly. Clopin reached a shackled hand up to his neck where the red indent of the beaded rosary could be seen.

"I thought myself clever, but the Judge is experienced." He said with a laugh. "He had the advantage in his own home I suppose."

"You shouldn't have come, I do not need rescuing."

"When you did not return to the court of miracles I was worried, I was afraid of what the Judge may do to you." Clopin winced and rubbed at his sore neck. "Well now the Judge has quite the prize now doesn't he? The Gypsy King and the Gypsy Princess." He laughed to himself.

"Clopin, the Judge intends to marry." Esmeralda said quietly.

Clopin said nothing but looked down. "Esmeralda, you have played with the fire."

Esmeralda sat quiet for a moment. "No, Clopin. I am the fire."

Clopin looked up and locked eyes with her, he studied her with furrowed brows a moment before saying. "I see." With a crooked smile. "Yes Esmeralda, I suppose you are."

A/N: Yes I know this hasn't been updated in years and I am sorry, but it is not abandoned it was just…delayed…for a very long time. _ ;;;