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His breath ragged, his body trembled from the heat and the smoke. He shook Yvette gently, desperately trying to rouse her.

“Yvette!” His voice was raw, desperate. “Yvette, please. Wake up.”

She opened her eyes slowly, her lashes heavy with soot, but when she saw him, a small, relieved smile tugged at her lips.

“You came for us,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Killian nodded, his heart hammering in his chest as he bent down to scoop Maisie from her arms. She was unconscious, but her small body was warm in his arms, and he held her close, feeling a surge of protectiveness that cut through the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.

“Can you stand?” he asked, and when Yvette nodded, he pulled her to her feet, not caring that she was barely conscious.

His hands were shaking as he gripped her arm, pulling her toward safety. “We have to move,now,” he urged, his voice tight. “I’m right here, Yvette. I won’t let anything happen to you.

They made their way back through the burning house, the flames licking at their heels. The heat was unbearable, and the smoke was suffocating. Killian could feel the flames growing closer, the air growing hotter with every step. But he wasn’t going to stop. Not until they were out of here.

They reached the part of the house from which he had entered, the path that had led him inside. The flames were growing fiercer, eating through the beams, and the path ahead was blocked by a wall of fire. Yvette’s hand was shaking in his, but he gripped it firmly, unwilling to let go.

“Run!” he shouted, his voice urgent as he pulled her along. “We’re almost there.”

Yvette nodded, and despite her exhaustion, she obeyed. She ran beside him, and for a moment, Killian thought they might make it out in time. But just as they reached the door, the floor beneath them groaned.

And then, with a deafening crash, the ceiling above them collapsed, sending a shower of embers and burning wood crashing to the ground.

“Run!” Killian yelled again, but it seemed Yvette had run out of energy.

CHAPTER 31

“She’s awake!” The words pierced through the haze of Yvette’s consciousness, and slowly, her eyes fluttered open.

The brightness of the room made her squint, and she felt a dull ache in her head, as her gaze slowly adjusted, while she took in her surroundings.

The first thing that caught her attention was the source of light—the harshness of daylight pouring through open curtains. The room was spacious, and well furnished.

As her vision cleared, she noticed the two women seated at her bedside. Both of them were staring at her with hopeful, almost relieved expressions. Fiona’s face was streaked with tear marks, and beside her, Georgiana appeared equally concerned, though slightly more composed.

“Oh heavens, Yvette!” Fiona’s voice cracked as she lunged toward her, taking Yvette’s hands in hers, her grip tight with emotion.

“I thought we’d lost you. You have no idea how scared I was when you ran out and fainted!” Her voice trembled with the weight of the fear she had clearly been holding in.

Georgiana, sensing Fiona’s overwhelming distress, placed a calming hand on her shoulder, gently urging her to step back.

“She just woke, Fiona. I think we should give her some time to regain herself.”

Fiona, though still visibly shaken, nodded, her hand lingering on Yvette’s as she backed away. Georgiana smiled warmly at Yvette, her gaze soft with care, while Yvette’s head still swam with confusion.

Yvette’s voice, rough from the strain of sleep and the weight of everything that had happened, broke the silence.

“Where am I?” She glanced around the room again, a sense of familiarity tugging at her memory, but she couldn’t quite place it.

Fiona and Georgiana exchanged quick glances, before returning their attention to Yvette.

Fiona, eager to share the news, sprang to her feet.

“I’ll go and let everyone know that she has woken up!” she exclaimed, her tone hopeful, and despite her initial panic, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Georgiana nodded, agreeing.

“It’s a good idea. You must be starving, Yvette. Everyone will be so relieved.”