The Ballad of Never After (Once Upon a Broken Heart, #2)

by Stephanie Garber

“You can try to find one,” Jacks ground out. “She could die.” “You won’t let her.” “I—” He growled. An angry sound that shook the wall.

LaLa had said, humans that became too close to Jacks always died.

Well Tella didnt die

Evangeline couldn’t let herself think that Jacks’s search for a cure meant he cared for her. She knew this was true, yet it was getting just a little harder to fully believe it. Because she was starting to care for him.

Starting to? REALLY Evie, youre damn near close to being in love at this point lmao

“How close are you to finding the stones?” LaLa asked. “We need three.” For a beat … nothing. Then, very softly, from LaLa: “I hope you brought enough apples.”

Turns out the apples dont do anything magical he just ran out and needs her to go on a quick grocery run to stock up (But for real i better get an apple explanation before the end of the 3rd book i stg)

shades of pink and blue and violet, covered the bodice and then gently dispersed over the hips of a flowing skirt with a slit that went up to her thigh. It was bold,

BADDIE

spun in front of the wardrobe mirror, twirling until the broken gems glittered to life.

Honestly me asf

“What exactly are you doing?” Jacks drawled.

JACKS THIS IS NORMAL HUMAN GIRL BEHAVIOR AND I KNOW YOURE FROTHNG AT THE MOUTH RN SO BACK OFF

She hadn’t even heard him enter. Evangeline stopped mid-twirl, her skirts still swishing as she caught his dashing reflection in the mirror. Her heart gave a silly jolt.

And perhaps she could blame a little on his lips. They were perfect, of course, and right now they were smiling with amusement. “So, this is what you do when I’m not around?”

she turned and met his gaze with a smile of her own. “You think about what I do when you’re not around?” “Careful, Little Fox.” He took a step forward. “You sound rather excited by the idea.”

Hehehehehehe we lovE the witty banter i love to see Evie being playful and Jacks playing w her

“I merely like the thought that I torment you as much as you torment me.” Jacks flashed one of his dimples, making him look deceptively charming. “So you’re the one who thinks about what I do when you’re not around?”

He's TOO quick on his feet my girl is tryna scramble and save face but in a casual cool girl way

“Only because I know you’re up to no good.” “No good.” He laughed as he said the words. “I would hope you know by now that I’m up to far worse than just ‘no good.’” Jacks slid his arm through hers. Her stomach tumbled.

I'm highlighting this whole section because theyre laughing and playing together LEAVE ME ALONE

but she didn’t want to reveal how much he affected her. Although she had a feeling he already knew, or he wouldn’t have taken her arm and pulled her so close to his side. “Remember,” she said instead, “no killing anyone here.”

“Can you at least try to smile?” she asked. He flashed his teeth. “That looks predatory.” “I am predatory. So is everyone else here,” he whispered.

im freshly buried rn

There was a trebuchet just beyond the entry, massive and rather horrible.

Bruh wtf

“Are you controlling them?” Evangeline asked. “Don’t need to.” Jacks winked at the pair. They giggled in response. Evangeline decided she didn’t like the sound of giggling.

JACKS PLEASE STOP W THE RIZZZ ITS HOT AND INFURIATING

Evangeline had no reason to dislike this girl and her moonlight hair. Yet she felt something twist inside her as she watched Jacks’s eyes follow the young woman.

Across the room, a young man smiled when he caught her spying. He was handsome, and she didn’t look away. He wasn’t wearing a medallion, but he did have jewels on his silver doublet. They sparkled as he took a second goblet from a servant and held it out as an offering. Hello, he mouthed.

Hehehehe make jacks jealous!!!

But his sapphire buttons were very sparkly, and his voice was kind. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Almond Froggly.”

Thats a crazy name--like a cartoon character

Jacks intercepted the wine before she could take it. “Go away, Almond. Evangeline isn’t going to marry you.”

DECEASED

“That doesn’t mean you can just control him.” “No controlling, no killing. You’re taking all the fun out of this party, Little Fox.”

Hahaahahha

She reached up again to run her fingers through Jacks’s golden locks. Evangeline felt a surge of discomfort and took that moment to step away again. And—

Cant believe Jacks is allowing her to touch him like that in front of Evie I'm livid

She crashed into the chest of a tall young man with thick black hair, smooth bronze skin, and a smile that made her knees weak.

Yes girl get that ass

“And I’m Jacks,” Jacks said, appearing beside Evangeline, no longer wearing the smile he’d shared with the Darling girls. “How’s your new wife, Merrick?”

JACKS FOR CHRIST SAKE

“In case you’ve forgotten, I am not everyone, Little Fox.” His eyes dropped to her lips,

Bro tell me why i just got goosebumps he's not fkin real take my kindle away pls

Evangeline bit down on her lip, just to taunt him back. Something primal flashed behind Jacks’s eyes—desire or anger, she couldn’t quite

Bro I’m hot ok

her mouth felt swollen from the force of his gaze and the inescapable sense that he wished to be the one biting down on her lip instead.

Panting

And for a second, she wondered what that would be like. She imagined him taking her lips right there, in the middle of the party, tangling his fingers through her hair, holding her close while everyone watched.

Jacks’s mouth kicked up as if he knew what she’d been thinking, and then his gaze plunged lower, moving from her lips to her neck, until it rested on the swell of her breasts, where her heart was suddenly pounding.

Dude wtf im frothing at the mouth, IVE BEEN SO PATIENT

Evangeline could no longer feel the crushing warmth of all the guests; there was only Jacks. He watched her the way you weren’t supposed to watch someone when they knew that you were looking—bold and unabashed and utterly inappropriate.

He better not be ensnaring her with his powers like an asshole

“You’re looking a little hot, Little Fox. Perhaps you should step outside while I keep searching for the stones.” His eyes left hers and landed once again on the young woman with the moonlight hair,

HOW VERY DARE YOU JACKS

Evangeline didn’t actually see any stones on Robin—even his family ring appeared to be made of metal instead of gems—

Maybe the "metal" is a type of rock? like obsidian or some shit

“As am I,” Jacks drawled. Robin turned to him. “I don’t believe we’ve had the honor of meeting?” “This is Lord Jacks,” LaLa inserted. “Lord Jacks,” Robin repeated, still smiling but looking vaguely perplexed. “Which House are you from?”

Someone needs to put Jacks in a cage when Evie goes to have convos w/ the adults

“I’m from a very old House.” Jacks took a sip from his goblet. “Everyone in my family died a long time ago.” LaLa’s smile fell away. For a second, she looked as if she could have strangled Jacks with her small

Hm are u listening Evie?

During dinner, Evangeline found herself separated from Jacks.

Whyyyyyyyy

seated next to the Darling sisters. He seemed to be in good humor again as he tossed an apple and winked at the tallest Darling girl who’d touched his cheek before. She giggled loudly.

Hes toying with Evie, JACKS CUT IT OUT

But she couldn’t seem to focus on anything except the sound of the Darling girl’s giggling.

It also made something terrible twist inside of her. Something a lot like jealousy. Or maybe it truly was jealousy, as much as Evangeline was loath to admit it.

Well Jacks is yours little fox, Im livid hes doing this but also love how its making Evie realize her feelings

She didn’t want to feel envious for Jacks’s attention. She didn’t want to wish that he would try to make her laugh, instead of constantly tormenting her. But the feeling was so powerful, so strong, so—

suddenly remembered the last time she’d felt emotions this intense. It had been when the luck stone was present.

Hm it could just be your jealousy my love lmao

The youth stone must be close. Evangeline felt a wave of relief; she wasn’t actually jealous, she was just feeling the effects of the youth stone. This was probably what Jacks had been feeling, too, whenever he’d stepped in to prevent her from talking to other young men.

Oh honey…

Petra Youngblood. “That would be me.” The young woman with the moonlight hair glided into the empty chair. Evangeline stiffened.

Evangeline was suddenly struck with a peculiarly familiar feeling that she and Petra had met before, or at the very least crossed paths prior to tonight.

Thats what jacks said hmmm

Evangeline cast a nervous look about the hall. Maybe he’d just taken the Darling girl to look at the trebuchet. Or

Ugh i hate thiS

Evangeline quickly shoved up from the table. “Wait—” The girl grabbed Evangeline’s wrist. For a second, she looked surprisingly concerned.

If Jacks had covertly left with another girl, she didn’t imagine he was simply playing checkers. He was going to kiss her and kill her.

I’m sure he can do other things that don't involve mouth kissing

The portrait inside the frame was of Glendora Slaughterwood, wearing an embroidered red gown covered in broken hearts and a smile that looked sad as she watched Evangeline slip through the secret door.

Ughhhh what if i dont wanna knowwww Evie go sit down please im begging you

swirling around Jacks’s golden hair as he dipped his head toward the Darling girl. Her neck was arched and her eyes were closed.

JACKS WTF

her hand moved to Jacks’s chest and boldly undid one of his buttons. Evangeline’s heart twisted again. She didn’t want to feel this. She didn’t want to feel anything for Jacks, and she especially didn’t want to be jealous of this girl he was about to kill.

But jealousy wasn’t a reasonable emotion, all it saw was another girl being wanted and touched.