Page 102 of Conquered

I nod, not ready to open my eyes yet. I feel the soft press of a cool cloth against my forehead, and I moan whilst leaning into it. A glass is pressed into my hand. I open my eyes to see that Loki is crouched down beside me, his face creased. I drink all the water in the glass, then hand it back to him. He passes it up to Kai, who gives me an anguished smile, then heads out of the doorway.

Loki scoops me up in his arms, and I wince at the pain that fills my body. He looks down and gives me an apologetic look, then walks us out of the bathroom, sitting down on one of the sofas with me nestled in his lap. His arms come around me ashe pulls me in for a tight hug, being mindful of my injured head. As I’m pressed against his chest, I can feel how hard his heart is beating.

Ash is pacing in front of the lit fire, but he stops and looks at me, coming over to sit next to us.

“Can you tell us what happened, Princess?” he asks gently, reaching out a hand to hover over my lip. It feels like it's split, and my jaw throbs with pain. His eyes dart to my ripped dress, his hand clenching into a fist then lowering to his lap.

Jax walks over, crouching in front of me with a bowl of water, some dressings, and other first aid bits on a tray. He also takes in the state of my clothing, and a low angry rumble sounds from his throat.

I stiffen in Loki's lap, instinctually not wanting him to touch the sore parts of me, then relax a little as Loki’s hand comes up, rubbing soothing circles on my back.

“I'll try,” I whisper, my voice croaky. My hands worry at my dress skirts until Ash's hand reaches out to still them, taking one in his own grasp. I notice there's blood under my nails, and I swallow hard.

“I–I was at the library studying when I realised how late it had gotten,” I begin, my voice small and almost unrecognisable. “I saw someone come out of the shadows, and I thought that it was one of you.” I feel Loki tense underneath me.

“Who was it, Baby Girl?” Jax asks, his voice deep and full of the darkness in the dead of night. He reaches out with a warm wet cloth, wiping at my temple, and I cringe at the sharp sting.

I look him in the eye, and I see the moment it dawns on him. His whole body stills, like a snake ready to strike.

“That cunt Robert?” he asks in a growl. I nod.

“He's a fucking dead man walking,” Loki bites out, his whole body rigid.

“What happened next?” Kai asks softly, and I turn my head to see him on my other side, his hand coming to rub my back too.

I swallow again and close my eyes.

“H–he came at me. Started saying about how now that I wasn't with Loki and Jax, it was his turn. I–I tried to run.”

My breath hitches and I feel hot tears begin to trickle down my cheeks. A hand holding a soft piece of fabric wipes at them, and I look up to see Ash with a white handkerchief.

“B–but he grabbed my hair and pulled me down. I hit my head, I think, and then he was pinning me beneath him.” I swallow again, feeling like I'm experiencing it all over again, my heart rate picking up and my breathing becoming shallow.

“I tried to scream, but he put his hand on my mouth, so I bit it, hard.” I'm looking into Ash's eyes, and I see the barest hint of a smile at that, like he's proud of me for fighting dirty.

“Good girl,” he praises gently when I pause. “And then?” His fingers start rubbing over the knuckles of the hand he’s still holding.

“He punched me, here,” I say, hearing growls behind me as I lift my other hand to my throbbing jaw.

I hiss as Jax presses an ice pack gently to the area. The cold feels so good on my heated skin, a breath of relief leaves me. I start to smile at him in thanks, then wince at the movement. His blue eyes flare with anger, which he's somehow still managing to hold in check.

I look away from Jax. I can't bear to meet any of their eyes as I recall the next part.

“I must have blacked out for a few moments because when I came to, he...he was on top of me, his pants down, my knickers gone, and...and…” I stutter, unable to continue. My hand has Ash’s in a death grip, his own gripping back just as hard.

Loki's arms are so tight around me it hurts, but I don't tell him to loosen his grip. I need to feel him anchoring me, or I'll slip away.

“Did he…” Ash takes in a breath but holds my gaze. “Did he rape you, Lilly?” I've never heard him stutter before, or his breath hitch like that.

I shake my head, fresh tears running down my face.

“No…” I whisper. “But he was almost there,” I admit, hanging my head as I feel an itchy uncomfortable shame flush through me.

“Hey,” I hear Kai say as he gently lifts my chin. He's come around to my side, next to Jax, and is staring deep into my eyes. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Lilly. None of this was your fault.”

“I–I know. It's just… if I hadn't run away from you guys that night…” I sob, unable to continue. But I see the shame flash brightly in his eyes.

“This. Is. Not. Your. Fault,” Jax says between gritted teeth, the first aid stuff abandoned by his feet as I look at him. “We should have taken better care of you.” His voice is filled with anger and self-loathing.