Page 13 of The Hunchback

My heart skipped a beat, torn between anxiety and anticipation. But a different thought dominated my mind.

“Is your gardener going to take care of that?” I asked innocently, jumping on the opening he had unwittingly provided me.

Frollo stiffened, his gaze narrowing, looking for a deceit I worked hard to dissimulate. “Yes,” he replied with a curt tone, his face losing all warmth and enthusiasm.

“That’s amazing. It sounds like a lot of work for a single person. Then again, I visited the temple’s garden yesterday, and it’s quite stunning. I’m assuming he recovered well from whatever ailed him yesterday?”

“My gardener is fine. You do not need to concern yourself with him,” he bit out, his voice becoming icy enough to freeze the sun.

“Why are you so angry?” I challenged in a soft voice. “I do not mind if he or any of the staff wishes to listen in when we rehearse the Chant. It is only when I practice the dance to Vesta that I require privacy. Please, do not be mad at him over a little curiosity.”

“My gardener is here under specific terms, and he violated them yesterday,” Frollo snapped. “He suffers a particular condition which makes him dangerous to himself and potentially to others. There’s a reason he remains out of sight and works at hours that reduce the possibility of him running into anyone. Your compassion and empathy honor you, but for his sake—and all of ours—do not seek him out. Should you cross paths with him, turn around and go the other way. Do not encourage him to further put himself at risk.”

“I understand,” I said with pretend submission. “I am relieved he has you to look after him. No one should be alone.”

Frollo harrumphed, looking mightily uncomfortable. “Well, I must be on my way. I’m afraid I won’t be able to enjoy your delectable company until late tomorrow evening. Hopefully, you can join me for dinner.”

“Until tomorrow then,” I said with a smile.

Frollo bowed his head then walked out of the temple. His two personal guards that I hadn’t noticed until now standing by the door, quietly shadowed him. Heaving a sigh, both in relief and confusion, I headed to my room to prepare for the Chant.

Chapter 7

Kwazeem

Thrusting, spinning, and swiping, I repeated the combat moves the city guards regularly performed on their training ground. It saddened me that I would no longer be able to look upon them from my former loft at the top of the spire. I loved combat. Despite my misshapen form, my body felt like it had been made specifically for that. My movements flowed effortlessly as if no hump sought to restrain them.

But today, I fought with an energy fueled by an underlying anger. Two days had gone by since Esmeralda’s first visit. Two long days since she’d asked if she could visit me again. Granted, the Vestal had not specified when or how frequently she would, but my heart ached and longed for her presence. A million horrible images of her succumbing to Frollo’s charms constantly flashed through my mind, further fueling my rage.

I was more isolated than ever; far worse than I had anticipated.

Even my imps felt it. They’d become my only eyes on what was happening in the rest of the world. But they needed to be extra careful during the day, not to be spotted. This was all my stupid fault, too. If only I had resisted the urge to go listen to her Chant.

Then, she would never have visited you here.

However, what was the point of that first visit if it were to be the last?

In an access of rage, I swiped my staff with all my strength in three quick successions at a large tree in the clearing next to my house. Then, with a war cry, I spun on myself, to strike it again using my momentum.

“Whatever that tree did to you, I apologize on its behalf.”

Startled, my head jerked left to look over my shoulder at the distant voice I’d been dreaming about. My heart, already pounding from the effort, picked up another notch. Breathing heavily, I gaped at the vision of perfection that gracefully approached me with feline steps. Dressed all in white with a simple bandeau top and a flowy skirt with a thigh-high slit on the side, Esmeralda looked good enough to eat. Her cute belly button exposed above the low line of her skirt begged to be nibbled and sucked on. And that golden-brown skin made my mouth water.

I’d been so lost in my jealous and hurt rage that I’d not felt her energy slowly seeping into me as she made her approach.

“It did nothing,” I mumbled, feeling suddenly self-conscious to be naked but for the tight shorts I’d been wearing. “It’s just my regular training routine.”

“You’re impressive,” Esmeralda said.

The way her gaze briefly roamed over me hinted at more than just my combat skills. My face heated, and I glanced down at my body slick with sweat.

“Thank you,” I said, running nervous fingers through my damp hair. “This is an unexpected surprise. Had I known such pleasant company was coming, I would have been in a less offensive accoutrement.”

This time, Esmeralda gave me a slow, deliberate once over that had my blood boiling with need and my throat going dry.

“Do I look offended to you?” she asked in a sultry voice, her green eyes darkening.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times, words failing me. My imps rushing towards Esmeralda to peck her cheeks, then immediately flying off before I could chastise them, spared me from answering. She laughed as they settled on one of the lowest branches of the tree I’d been brutally venting my frustration on.

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