After I cried until I couldn't cry anymore I made my way to the privy to take a bath. Apparently, Jareth already filled the bath with steaming hot water so I took the gold top off and threw it unceremoniously to the side. I stepped into the water and sank down to let its heat wash over me. I washed my hair with the amber and rose-scented shampoo. When it came time to wash my body I scrubbed every inch of my skin until it hurt. Yet, I still felt disgusting.

When I was done I wrapped a towel around my body and tiptoed to the door. I slowly opened it trying to make sure it didn't creak. I peeked my head out to make sure Jareth wasn't waiting for me. When I assured the coast was clear I hurried to my wardrobe to find a dress. I stopped when I saw something on the bed. I walked over to the bed and saw a folded dress with a note on top. I opened the note to read it.

Ella,

I picked out this lovely dress for you to wear to your party. Please do me the honor of wearing it. Remember love, don't defy me.

Love, Jareth

I unfolded the dress to see what he considered lovely. I gawked at it with disgust. It was the most revealing piece of trash I'd ever seen. "If he thinks I'll wear this slutty dress in front of the whole kingdom, then he's dumber than I thought." I threw the dress off in the corner and made my way over to my wardrobe to find something more decent.

When I opened the wooden doors I felt my body burn in rage. It was empty. "That bastard must've taken everything so I had no choice but to wear that dress. Fine, he wants to play games. I'll show him I can play games too." I walked over to the bed, the towel still wrapped around me, and sat down. I sat there and waited for him to return.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he appeared before me. The smile that was adorning his face turned into a scowl. "Did you not read my note?" I looked over to the dress in the corner. He followed my eyes and his scowl turned vicious.

"I see. Well, I guess it can't be helped. I love the attire you've chosen, though I would've hoped you'd try to be more decent." I looked at him with a confused look. He snatched my arm and pulled me to my feet. Then he grabbed the towel and ripped it from my body.

I tried to protest as he started dragging me to the door. "What the hell are you doing? I can't walk out there naked." I tried to free my arm from his grasp, but it was useless. "You can and you will, pet. You refuse to wear what I chose for you, so you will wear nothing." I looked at him horrified. He was serious.

He kept dragging me down the hall as I tried to break free. Servants walked past with their heads down, as if all was normal. I could hear the music from the party getting louder as we came upon the large doors. He stopped in front of them. The guards standing next to them opened them after Jareth gave them a nod.

My body froze as the room fell silent, all eyes in the room looked at me. Jareth walked in beside me and everyone bowed to their king. He leaned down to my ear and whispered seductively "Happy birthday, Ella mine. I think it'll be one you'll never forget." His hand went down my back slowly. He stopped on my ass cheek and gave it a squeeze.

"I hate you," I mumbled under my breath for only him to hear. He only smirked in return. 'I need to get out of here.' I thought as guests walked towards us to wish me a happy birthday. Jareth held my waist firmly, making it hard to move.

I looked around trying to find a way to distract him. I saw a servant walking around with a tray of champagne. I stuck my foot out as soon as they started to walk by. They of course didn't see it and tripped, spilling all of the drinks onto the floor.

Jareth backed away so some wouldn't spill on him and he pushed me back so the glass didn't cut me. With that, I took my chance and ran for the door. "Ella, stop!" Jareth yelled behind me. I ignored him and continued my escape. I could see the doors open just ahead of me.

I felt the taste of freedom on my tongue. Unfortunately just as I was about to run through them I felt hands wrap around my waist, then my world went black.

I opened my eyes. I was back in Jareth's bedroom. I tried to sit up, but I felt constricted. I looked over and saw chains hooked to the bracelets around my wrists and new restraints around my ankles with chains. "What the hell?!" I started to struggle but to no avail.

"It's no use, precious." I looked over to see Jareth sitting in one of the armchairs by the fireplace. "Let me go!" I yelled as loud as I could. Jareth tapped his index finger to his chin as if he was giving the idea some thought, but he smirked "I think not love. I rather like you in this position."

He got up and made his way over to the bed. "I hate you. I thought you loved me. You always told me that you promised my mother that you would take care of me and never let harm befall me." Tears were starting to well in my eyes. "You lied." I looked away from him.

He sighed deeply and placed his hand on my cheek to caress it. "Sweet Ella, I didn't lie. I do love you and I did promise to take care of you and to never let you get hurt. But, you forget. I offered to make you Queen and you refused. You must understand, I'm a possessive man. If I can't have you obey me out of love, then you will obey me out of fear. No other being will ever harm you, but that doesn't mean I will not punish you."

He grabbed my chin in a painful grip and lifted it to look at him. I winced at the bruising force. "I love you so much it hurts. I will never let you go. You're mine" he growled. The look in his eyes frightened me. He let my chin go and began to caress my cheek again.

"I think you've learned your lesson for tonight." He began unchaining my ankles and wrists. "You must be tired." He laid next to me and pulled me against him. He started playing with my hair and then kissed my head. "Go to sleep, Ella mine." I was so exhausted from the earlier events that I didn't even try to fight. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.