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

by Stephanie Garber

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.

“I don’t know if I can fix your broken heart, but you can take mine because it’s already yours.”

“Does that mean I can let her go?” “Yes,” Evangeline managed at the same moment that the girl said, “No, not unless you want her to die. She’ll need close physical contact for at least a full day for the cure to take.”

And yet, he made no move to release her.

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.

“She’s the Fate that poisoned you,” Jacks said. LaLa gave Jacks an impressive glare. “This is why everyone hates you.”

after Jacks got us all exiled.” “I’m not the one who got us all exiled,” Jacks interrupted. LaLa gave him a tart look. “You might not have single-handedly gotten us all kicked out of the south, but I heard about some of the things that you did to the empress’s younger sister. People said you were obsessed with her.” “This is getting tedious.” Jacks suddenly sounded bored.

“Excellent speech!” LaLa cheered with her teacup. “You’re making a terrible choice to work with Jacks, but it’s a very noble one.” “LaLa,” Jacks growled, “I think your services are no longer necessary.” “You’re in my flat!”

“And you have a friend as well,” Evangeline said. “As long as you don’t mind that I’m a fugitive who has a habit of making terrible deals with Jacks.” “Everyone makes terrible deals with Jacks!” LaLa squealed, and suddenly Evangeline found herself tangled up in a hug that she hadn’t realized she’d needed.