"Sir, we brought you the former Captain," one guard stated as the Minister returned to the Palace of Justice and instantly made haste for his study. The former Captain of the Guard stood in the center, flanked by two metalclad soldiers and the new Captain; once proudly adorned in gold armor, Phoebus had been reduced to his dirty white tunic and breeches and disheveled blond hair. "We figured that you would want to give the sentence directly," the same soldier said.

Phoebus's fists tightened bitterly, the iron chains from his manacles rattling. He bore his blue eyes distrustfully into the unmoving gray ones of the Minister.

Frollo ordered himself to suppress the urge to pounce and throttle the man in jealousy when Esmeralda's sweet, concerned face flashed through his mind.

"Yes…the former Captain," the judge grumbled, hands behind his back. His dark eyes burned into the stoic ones of the soldier before him. "While the sentence for insubordination is death…perhaps there is a more fitting approach to penalize you for your insolent behavior."

Phoebus raised an eyebrow, unsure if there was any punishment worse than death. "And that would be…?" he asked, never breaking from the Minister's leer.

"I can see that appointing you as my Captain of the Guard was a mistake, therefore, you shall be reduced to a foot soldier," Frollo explained, watching the man's expression change from that of stone to one of shock. "That is why I have relinquished the duties of Captain to Lieutenant Rousseau. And for your blatant disobedience, you shall be placed in the stocks today until tomorrow morning. I take it that there will be no quarrels with these new implications, so you may be on your way." With that, Frollo gave a wave of his hand to his men, glad to be done with the man.

"Wait—what? But I-" Phoebus stammered as the two soldiers dragged him out of the judge's study, the Minister gritting his teeth at the notion that the former Captain still had his head attached.

The new Captain studied the agitated Minister. "Sir," he began, Frollo turning around to face him. "Captain—uh…the former Captain disobeyed your orders, why is the punishment not death?"

"While he disrespected authority, Phoebus de Chateaupers is still an able soldier," Frollo explained. "A soldier of his stature would surely be missed if he were to simply be removed, and I intend to keep my battalions as effective as possible."

"Minister-"

"There will be no further discussion on the matter, Captain," Frollo quipped before the man could protest. "Now unless you wish to relinquish your newly-acquired title so soon, I suggest you make yourself useful and go oversee Phoebus's punishment. Afterwards, patrol the city to ensure that the gypsies are not wreaking havoc since their release. God forbid they take out their resentment against the people after being imprisoned."

Obediently, the mustached Captain nodded in understanding before exiting, leaving the Minister of Justice stewing in anger. Removing his hat and slinking into his desk chair, Frollo noticed the parchment pieces scattered about. Just then, he remembered something that made his heart skip a beat: after Frollo wrote to the King about his city-wide search of Esmeralda, Louis promised him his complete funding and trust… and he expected a detailed report on the mass execution of gypsies as promised.

How are you going to explain yourself? Frollo chastised himself, pinching the bridge of his crooked nose and exhaling tiredly. Louis is not entirely forgiving—he isn't called the "Universal Spider" for nothing…you must think of something!

The judge pulled himself forward, resting his elbows upon the surface and clasping his hands. Resting his forehead against his folded hands, almost in prayer, Frollo thought heavily of what to write as he looked down at the parchment which in turn stared up at him forebodingly.

X

Esmeralda had been trapped in her chambers for a few hours, bored out of her mind. While Frollo was somewhere else in the large building probably buried in legal work, she was marooned here and left to stare out the windows. What does he expect me to do here? she thought to herself sarcastically, drumming her fingers lightly on the windowpane and looking down over the thatch roofs of the city.

The gypsy wondered what the Minister was up to, what was so important that he stormed out to attend to instead of ravishing her body as he originally sought to do.

Esmeralda was stirred from her thoughts when she heard the sudden sound of the lock jiggle, one of the Palace's maids entering carrying a tray of food and leaving it on the small table wordlessly, and nodding before leaving the gypsy alone again. Though she did not want to take anything given to her from Frollo, her growling stomach screamed for nourishment, Esmeralda reluctantly deciding that sustenance was more important than her pride and contempt for him.

The aroma that rose from the food was so heavenly that the gypsy's mouth watered instantly. Before her, a fresh loaf of bread, a bowl of hot stew of herbs and chicken, a sweet smelling tart, and a goblet and new bottle of wine—a meal more succulent than anything she would have dreamed of while surviving off of old bread in the Court of Miracles. She instantly tore into the light, fluffy bread, her stomach thanking her.

A few hours ago, she was starving beneath the Palace. She had used all her energy in her verbal battle with Frollo, no matter how tired she was. As she ate, her mind flashed back to just the other night…Djali rushing in and bleating frantically, urging her to follow him…emerging from her tent in the Court and seeing the other gypsies gathered and shouting curses towards the hanging platform…her heart skipping a beat just as Clopin was about to pull the lever and do away with Quasimodo and Phoebus…

That fleeting sense of peace as she held the noble Captain in her arms…just as she was about to thank Quasimodo for finding the Court to warn her family, he showed up, paralyzing everyone in terror.

Esmeralda's fist involuntarily clenched in animosity as she remembered being shoved into one of those metal cages on wheels to be escorted to the Palace of Justice…as the large cart took off, she exchanged brief glances with the exultant Minister, whose smirk disappeared as soon as he met her gaze for a split second before it rolled away.

Sipping the bitter wine, Esmeralda remembered the depressing and rickety cart ride on the way to the Palace. She sat across from Phoebus and Clopin and other gypsies crammed in, each adorned with a defeated expression as they rolled through the city streets, citizens laughing and waving goodbye to them, now that the Minister of Justice had fulfilled his life-long goal…

Esmeralda paced around the large chambers, lost in her thoughts, fidgeting with the dress sleeve of her white gown. What if Frollo doesn't keep his end of the deal? She worried as the beaten faces of her people flashed through her mind.

He will, he promised, she told herself, trying to keep her spirit up. He's also one dishonest bastard—you heard the lies he filled Quasi's head with.

But would he stoop that low? To promise their freedom if you stay here only to not fulfill his obligation?

Maybe she should have a small ounce of faith in him, maybe there was more than meets the eye…Who are you kidding? She asked herself darkly, absent-mindedly tucking a stray lock behind her ear. Faith in Frollo? Please…

X

Waving his hand, Frollo flung another parchment piece into the fireplace and watched it quickly blacken before shriveling up into ash. He had racked his brain in an attempt to find the right words to pen to the King, only to go through numerous parchments, never content with his choice of words. For the love of God, he tried desperately to think of something that would not raise Louis's suspicions over his judicial abilities…again…

In a feverish frenzy, Frollo had sent every rejected idea he penned flying over the study with one sweep of his arm. After ripping up many parchments and breaking the tips of several quills, he was sure that he found the right way to tell Louis that his promised mass slaughter of the gypsies would not be carried out.

With every discarded idea he picked up, Frollo quickly sent it flying into the hearth. He watched as the inked ideas went up in flames, the intensity of the fire never bothering him, rather providing a morbid sense of comfort and power. It reminded him of the flames that he set for her…the fire that burned inside of him, that threatened to consume him…

Frollo shook his head from that thought, leaning against the mantle of the fireplace as he watched the last of the parchment burn to bits, the glow coloring his pale countenance orange. He didn't care how expensive the materials were; such things seemed so miniscule as his mind once again thought of the gypsy girl who lay just a couple of floors above him.

For a brief fleeting moment he inwardly prayed that she had not rejected the food he had provided out of pride. It would be most unfortunate to see such an exquisite flower wilt and whither.

Stop! He told himself. Remember that you are in control—she will yield to you. She has already given her freedom.

With others in her heart…

Frollo tore himself away from the fireplace, rubbing the back of his stiff neck and trying to quell his bothersome thoughts. Overwhelming exhaustion was washing over him, causing his shoulders to slouch and igniting a headache in his skull. The judge had barely slept in days, hardly being able to without waking from dreams of the gypsy. Even as his bedchambers glowed from the inferno that was Paris, he slept restlessly as his mind pictured Esmeralda dancing and tormenting him…grinning triumphantly as she stood above him as she enslaved him, the Minister kneeling before her as if she were the blessed Virgin herself, wanting her to possess him…and to possess her. She would tackle him, straddling him as he stared up at her in awe, her slender hands running down his chest and trying to rip his robes away…the nymph…

Feeling a familiar swelling form below, he tried to suppress those carnal dreams. He looked out the window and saw that the afternoon was barely approaching, a small beam of sunlight covered in the dark orange smoke clouds that still lingered over Paris.

A knock at the door stirred him from his thoughts, causing him to quickly retreat back to desk as he anxiously waited for swelling in his hose to go down. Clearing his throat and trying to remain as collected as always, calling out, "Enter."

The messenger boy entered, standing at attention as he spoke, "Minister, the new orders have been delivered to your commanders and they are on their way to monitor the gypsies' activity. Will there be anything else at the moment?"

Frollo reached for sealed message, holding it up and answering, "This is to be delivered to His Majesty at once. See to it that he receives it immediately!"

The boy approached the judge's desk and took the letter, swiftly exiting and leaving the Minister alone again. Gripping the arms of his chair, he let out a ragged breath as his arousal finally ebbed away. Only a sorceress could cast such a spell, he scornfully thought.

How could a woman who brought him such inner turmoil captivate him so much at the same time? Her beautifully carved body might be that of heavenly creation, but the influence she held over a man so pious could only have emerged from the darkness.

No matter the amount of conflict she brought him, Frollo had the sudden desire to see her. His mind and body were tired beyond belief, but his urge to check on her fueled him as he rushed out of his study and up the flight of stairs to the next few floors. Stopping at the door where Esmeralda sat on the other side, Frollo hesitated as his hand hovered above the door handle. He knew that their interactions had not once been positive, but he still wanted nothing more than to see her, even if it meant she would rain curses and swears upon him.

Taking the keyring in his hand, he jammed the key into the lock and swung the door open, Esmeralda quickly jumping around from her spot at one of the large windows and standing tall. Frollo shut the door behind him and shoved the keys back into his pocket, wordlessly approaching her, his face stern.

Though she made his heart flutter, he did his best to remain composed as he broke the silence. "I hope you are satisfied. I have worked tirelessly for twenty years to claim the Court of Miracles and wipe out those miscreants…and all of that has been undone in the blink of an eye," his voice rumbled as he leered at her. "Your heathen family is back polluting my city, and the two disloyal turncoats whom you regard as friends have been released as well. Not one has been harmed, though I cannot say the same for your beloved former Captain."

"What did you do to Phoebus?" she asked, anger flaring up as her bright green eyes bore deeply into his flinty gray ones.

"Calm yourself, gypsy. Phoebus shall be punished for his failure to comply with orders, but, unfortunately, he will remain alive and a soldier. However, one of the conditions of his punishment was the stripping of his title as Captain. A man who can be so easily swayed has no place as the leader of others."

Esmeralda scoffed at his arrogance. "So I suppose you're just some god among mortals, aren't you?"

"Watch your tongue," Frollo warned as he stepped closer, his tone menacing. "I did just as you asked and released your kin and companions. I believe a few words of gratitude are customary after an act of kindness is performed. Perhaps virtues such as manners are foreign to your kind."

An act of gratitude…His mind conjured up pleasurable images of her in the most compromising positions as "payment" for his deeds. Especially when he admired those bright red lips, clenching his fists to steel himself.

"'Kindness'?" She asked in disbelief, folding her arms across her chest. "What you did was not kindness—it was part of an agreement. If we hadn't have made this little deal, you would have murdered us all and burned the city to a crisp. But if you want a proper thank you, fine…thank you, Minister, for threatening me and everyone I hold dear because of your own prejudices. Thank you for giving me the option of either becoming your mistress, or being burnt at the stake before killing my friends and family. Thank you so much for torching people's homes and the rest of the city in order to make me a prisoner! And all of this was done out of the "kindness" of your heart, so thank you for everything!"

Frollo stood motionless, paralyzed by such impassioned words. Such baneful, contemptuous testament…Before he could let himself be overwhelmed in awe of her intensity and fearlessness, he rebutted, "May I remind you that I could have easily broken my promise? That I have the ability to set fire to that rat-hole of a safe haven that your people built—as I should have! I could have let my men take the Captain's head right off his neck to use for a doorstop—or let Quasimodo rot in that bell tower in chains until he starved to death. But I did not! I gave you my word, Esmeralda, and—no matter how much it pained me to do so—I fulfilled my obligation and released them as part of your conditions! My own ward has turned against me because of you!"

Esmeralda studied the fervor of his expression, though furious, there was something else there…some sort of defeated sorrow. It shocked to her to see this, on top of that, hearing that he actually kept his end of the bargain. Stifling any further sarcastic retort, she softly asked, "So you let Quasimodo go?"

"I promised that I would, and I did," he answered evenly, calming himself. He averted his gaze from her to the cold flagstone floor. "Twenty years of unquestioned devotion severed in doing so, but yes. Besides, where will the church find a seasoned bell-ringer on such short notice?" His tone indicated that he was trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Paying no heed to his sliver of dark humor, Esmeralda asked, "You didn't punish him too, did you?"

Folding his hands behind his back and pacing away from the gypsy, Frollo answered, "Given the recent turn of events, Quasimodo's loyalty no longer lies with me, so he would have no qualms in bringing upon my demise in your defense. If I sent my men in with some grim retribution for his betrayal, no doubt I would receive a report of an entire squadron having their heads bashed into Notre Dame's walls. I think the reality of your presence here is punishment enough in itself."

Esmeralda pictured her forlorn friend sitting heartbroken on one the rafters. His former guardian had become the true monster in his eyes, and his dearest friend was now locked away like him. Guilt welled in the pit of her stomach as she thought of how so many of her loved ones had suffered over Frollo's obsession with her.

Esmeralda nervously wrung her hands together, unable to look up at the Minister. "I…I'm surprised you followed through on your word."

Frollo looked at her sullen expression, loose tendrils of her black hair falling over her face, astounded by such innocence it bore. How he desperately wanted to pull her to himself and abandon every religious moral left to taste the Forbidden Fruit he had dreamt of for days. But he knew that he must remain the dominant force in this strife, falling back on his usual contempt before he could stop himself. "I am not so cruel that I would break my promise…even if it is to one of your kind."

And just like that, Esmeralda jerked her head up and glowered at him, gritting her teeth at his venomous words. Before she could fight back with her own caustic retort, she halted and thought, Remember what happened to them, thinking of her friends. It sickened her to do so, but she responded, "Well, thank you anyway for releasing Quasimodo and Phoebus and the gypsies."

An act of gratitude…the words rung in his ears, the Minister standing like a statue and studying her intensely. Spurred by those earlier thoughts, Frollo acted before he could think.

He grabbed Esmeralda by the shoulders and pulled her to his stiff form. Without warning, Frollo claimed her lips, a muffled whimper of disgust escaping Esmeralda's mouth as the judge drove his tongue in. His firm fingers dug into the skin of her shoulders, unyielding as he lost himself in such a lustful frenzy, the growing bulge below evident of such excitement.

At long last, the nectar of the gods…sweet ambrosia, he thought decadently, all control lost as he tasted the sweetness of this goddess.

With all her strength, Esmeralda instinctively pushed him back, Frollo stumbling a little from her sudden reaction as his head reeled. The gypsy girl glared at him as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, gasping for air like the Minister before her.

"My God—you're a pig!" she cried, hatred burning in those bright green orbs, fighting the urge not to gag.

Frollo stared at her, lingering in a hypnotic trance, stupefied by what just happened. All she had done was give him a few genuine words of thanks, and that had been enough to send him over the edge in an outburst of desire.

Suddenly the air around him felt thin as he still breathed raggedly, the burning below driving him mad and needing to be released. He needed to leave—out of the sorceress's lair.

With a shaky breath, the only thing he could utter was, "Witch..."

He didn't know if he said it in astonishment or fearful condemnation. Turning on his heels, he swiftly headed for the door, locking it behind him and storming down the corridor.

Once he left, Esmeralda felt a chill run down her spine as his sudden assault on her mouth replayed in her mind, groaning in revulsion. If he could make her feel nauseous just from a single kiss, she shuddered to think of what other carnal acts he conjured up in his mind.

*A/n: Thank you everyone for your reviews and I hope you like the chapter! R/R or drop me a line!