Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, #1)

by Stephanie Garber

Unlike most humans, this shopgirl had grown up around oddities—and the bell had long suspected she was a curiosity as well, though it couldn’t figure out exactly what sort.

This door did not want to be found. Yet it couldn’t hide what it truly was from Evangeline.

All stories are made of both truths and lies, she used to say. What matters is the way that we believe in them.

Always promise less than you can give, for Fates always take more. Do not make bargains with more than one Fate. And, above all, never fall in love with a Fate.

During her search for the missing door, she’d read that the Prince of Hearts’ church held a different aroma for everyone who visited. It was supposed to smell like a person’s greatest heartbreak. But as Evangeline entered the cool cathedral, the air did not remind her of Luc—there were no hints of suede or vetiver. The dim mouth of the church was slightly sweet and metallic: apples and blood.

a young man appeared to be in mourning or performing some act of penance.

According to the myths, the Prince of Hearts was not capable of love because his heart had stopped beating long ago. Only one person could make it work again: his one true love. They said his kiss was fatal to all but her—his only weakness—and as he’d sought her, he’d left a trail of corpses.

She feared her crying would scare him away, but instead he’d pulled her into his arms and said, “I don’t know if I can fix your broken heart, but you can take mine because it’s already yours.”

His words might have been borrowed from a popular story, but he backed them up with heartfelt actions.

How did you get the door to let you in?” “I asked it politely.” Jacks rubbed the corner of his jaw. “That’s all? You didn’t find a key?” “I didn’t even see a keyhole,” she answered honestly. Something like victory glimmered in Jacks’s eyes,

The Fates weren’t dangerous because they were evil; the Fates were dangerous because they couldn’t tell the difference between evil and good.

Heroes don’t get happy endings. They give them to other people.

“I want to save the boy I love. I’m just going to have to hope he’ll decide to save me, too.” Before Jacks could stop her, Evangeline drank.

“I thought all of the Fates had disappeared,” Evangeline blurted. “We recently made a grand return, but that’s not what this story is about.”

“I’m sorry, darling, but Jacks has probably forgotten all about you. He found some trouble during the weeks you were stone. I can assure you he won’t be returning to Valenda.”

Even if you never want to see Jacks again, you’ll gravitate toward him until you fulfill the deal you’ve made with him. But if you desire a chance at happiness, fight the pull—Jacks will only lead to your destruction.”

One of the stories Liana used to tell Evangeline was The Ballad of the Archer and the Fox, a romantic tale about a crafty peasant girl who could transform into a fox and the young archer who loved her, but was cursed with the need to hunt her down and kill her.

Evangeline made her mother tell her the tale over and over. But since this story was cursed, every time her mother neared the end, she would suddenly forget what she’d been saying. She could never tell Evangeline if the archer kissed his fox-girl and they lived happily together forever, or if he killed the fox-girl, ending their story in death.

“I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings.”

She knew some people would think this made her foolish, but it was tremendously hard to fully fall out of love with someone when you had no one else to love instead.

Poor Marisol was sitting on her pale pink bed, and she did look like a wilted ribbon, though it was probably because Agnes had trampled all over her.

Then her parents would both be sure to tell Evangeline that not all loves happened at first; some took time to grow like seeds, or they might be like bulbs, dormant until the right season approached.

He’d lost something since she’d last seen him as if he’d been a touch human before but now he was not.

“Lord Jacks doesn’t really speak to anyone,” said Evangeline’s new friend. “There are rumors he’s recovering from a great heartbreak.”

I’ve actually heard he ended up exiled here after getting into some nasty business with a princess from the south.”

but I think the southern princess was the person who broke his heart.”

Apollo laughed, darkly musical and absolutely mortifying.

Instead, she managed to say, “How well do you know Jacks?” The prince’s bold smile faltered. “I’m not accustomed to ladies coming up here and asking about other young men.”

Evangeline would die eventually, but it would not be tonight.

Dragon-roasted apples were supposed to taste like true love.

The outside of the apple was the caramelized color of gold, and when it finally cooled enough for Evangeline to bite, it tasted like hot, searing sweetness and Jacks

her dumb little true love dragon apple tasted like Jacks why was this just casually passed over???

But Evangeline’s doubt was like salt. There wasn’t much of it, yet it seemed to alter the taste of her thoughts.

Another step and the air turned spicy with the scent of mulled cider and possibilities. Evangeline tensed as she caught a whiff of apples.

“Would you mind turning around? Lovely as your back is, I’d much rather see your face.”

Evangeline approached, and just like with all the other arches, another rasping whisper came from the stones: You could have unlocked me as well.

“How did I not see it?” The older woman gasped, staring at Evangeline as if she were the most dangerous one in that vault. “You’re the one who will open the Valory Arch.”

“You will know her because she will be crowned in rose gold,” the woman chanted. “She will be both peasant and princess.”

“You cannot marry the prince! The Valory Arch can never be opened!” the matriarch cried. Something metallic flashed in her hands.

Just love him the same way you live your life—love him without holding back, love him as if every day with him will be more magical than the last, love him as if he’s your destiny and the world will be better if you two are together, and he won’t be able to ever stop loving you.”

But there were reasons powerful emotions didn’t vanish in a blink, reasons why a person had to become stronger than her feelings to let them go.

Jacks didn’t answer, but the brutal way he looked down at her made her suspect that she should not have been able to hear his words.

“My magic doesn’t work the same in the North as it would elsewhere,” he gritted out.

Jacks ripped the cape from his shoulders and covered Evangeline with it.

She couldn’t see where they went. Jacks kept her covered with his cloak and pressed her tight against his chest. It was the first time his body had ever felt warm. Evangeline shuddered to think what that said about her.

“If you stop holding her, she might slip away. Try to comfort her while I put together an antidote. Pretend she’s someone you care for.” Jacks’s arms tensed around Evangeline.

cause cause cause HE DOES CARE FOR HER? Is that why his arms tensed because he felt CAUGHT

“There are much better ways to die than this, Little Fox.”

like his KISS!?

He held on to her as if she were a grudge, his body rigid and tense, as if he really didn’t want her there, and yet his arms were tight around her waist as though he had no intention of ever letting her go.

LaLa was not a wilting maid pining away for lost love. She was the boldest girl at the party, the girl who was unafraid to dance by herself or let a pair of fugitives into her home when they knocked on her door in the dead of night.

She didn’t make being alone seem lonely as Evangeline had always feared. She made it seem like an adventure, as if every moment were the start of a story with endless possibilities.

But Jacks’s harsh gaze worked like an antidote to the vampire’s wonder, reminding her that looking into Chaos’s eyes would not lead to wishes come true but to shackles and cages and sharp teeth tearing into her skin.

hmmm almost like he’s breaking a spell over her…