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. Gooseflesh covered her arms.

The Prince of Hearts’ card represented unrequited love, and it always depicted the Fate as tragically handsome, with vivid blue eyes crying tears that matched the blood forever staining the corner of his sulky mouth. There were no bloody tears on this glowing statue.

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.

The Prince of Hearts took a final bite of his apple before it dropped to the floor and spattered everything with red.

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, then he captured her wrist and brought it up to his cold mouth.

But Agnes didn’t say a word. She looked vaguely haunted as if she’d seen a ghost or a glimpse of her own wicked heart.

Tiberius disappeared for weeks, no one knows where he went, and ever since he returned, he’s avoided most functions.”

“There are rumors he’s recovering from a great heartbreak.”

Self-pity doesn’t look good on you, Little Fox. Evangeline froze. The low voice in her head sounded a lot like Jacks’s. She had never heard his voice like this.

Don’t worry, Little Fox. You might even enjoy this. Before she could think too much about how Jacks’s lazy voice had made it into her head again, the door to the study swung open.