Once Upon a Broken Heart, #2
The Ballad of Never After
by Stephanie Garber
Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Luc reveals he is the fabricated heir, “Lucien,” installed with Chaos’s help. Drawn by Evangeline’s bleeding mirror-wound, Luc attacks, but Jacks rescues her as others move to subdue Luc. Marisol arrives as Luc’s intended dinner guest, forcing Evangeline to confront betrayal and the immediate danger of a vampire on the throne.
Summary
Evangeline confronts Luc, who reveals he is the fabricated heir “Lucien Acadian,” flaunting a crown and claiming Chaos verified his distant royal blood. Evangeline doubts the legitimacy and fears the danger of an impulsive new vampire ruling.
Luc toys with his allure and hunger, inviting Evangeline closer while hinting at a dinner guest. Evangeline worries he will feed on someone. Havelock interrupts with urgent news for Evangeline just as blood from her mirror-linked wound with Apollo seeps through her bandage, heightening Luc’s predatory focus.
Driven by the scent, Luc lunges and seizes Evangeline, but Jacks intervenes, tearing Luc away and escorting Evangeline into the hall. Jacks claims someone is subduing Luc and insists the palace is unsafe for her, while Havelock appears shaken but unharmed.
As tensions mount, a soft voice announces the dinner guest: Marisol, Evangeline’s stepsister who betrayed her. Seeing Marisol rekindles old wounds. Evangeline, torn between forgiveness and anger, momentarily contemplates letting Marisol face Luc and suffer consequences, underscoring the peril posed by Luc’s position.
Who Appears
- EvangelineConfronts Luc’s deception, resists his allure, is saved by Jacks, and grapples with Marisol’s return and potential peril.
- Luc (Lucien Acadian)Reveals himself as the fabricated heir backed by Chaos; succumbs to bloodlust and attacks Evangeline.
- JacksArrives in time to tear Luc away, protects Evangeline, and urges her to leave the unsafe palace.
- HavelockBrings urgent news to Evangeline; appears shaken but unharmed as chaos erupts.
- MarisolArrives as Luc’s dinner guest; her past betrayal resurfaces as Evangeline considers letting her face Luc.