Once Upon a Broken Heart, #2
The Ballad of Never After
by Stephanie Garber
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
At LaLa’s formal dinner, Evangeline and Jacks search the elite guests for the remaining Arch stones but find no clear leads. The court snubs Evangeline while Jacks draws fawning attention, intensifying tensions and jealousy. Jacks fixates on a mysterious moonlight-haired woman, and Evangeline meets an alluring stranger, hinting at shifting alliances.
Summary
Evangeline prepares for LaLa’s dinner in a dazzling gown that boosts her confidence. Jacks arrives unannounced, their banter mixing attraction and barbs as Evangeline extracts his promise of no killing at the party.
They enter Slaughterwood’s grand dining hall, dominated by a massive trebuchet and jeweled splendor. Despite Evangeline’s hopes for mirthful magic, nobles ignore her and lavish attention on Jacks, underscoring class prejudice and his dangerous allure.
While scanning guests’ jewels for a sign of the missing stones, Evangeline notes that the crowd wears many gems but senses no magic. Jacks draws flirtation from multiple women, including a pair who boldly court him, worsening Evangeline’s discomfort.
A striking, moonlight-haired woman captures Jacks’s attention, distracting him. Seizing the moment, Evangeline approaches a polite noble, Almond Froggly, but Jacks intervenes, brusquely sending Almond away and insisting they focus on those who seem truly magical.
Jacks steers them to the elegant House Darling sisters, who greet him warmly. Evangeline senses no magic among them and withdraws as the sisters fawn over Jacks. Moving away, she collides with a tall, handsome stranger with black hair and bronze skin, ending the scene on a suggestive new encounter.
Who Appears
- Evangeline FoxProtagonist; attends LaLa’s dinner, searches guests for arch stones, feels snubbed and jealous, and meets a mysterious handsome stranger.
- JacksFate accompanying Evangeline; adored by nobles, flirts freely, dismisses Almond, targets promising leads, fixates on a moonlight-haired woman.
- Moonlight-haired womanGlamorous newcomer whose presence captivates Jacks, hinting at significance or a potential lead.
- House Darling sistersGraceful nobles who fawn over Jacks; despite their glittering finery, Evangeline senses no magic from them.
- Almond FrogglyPolite noble who approaches Evangeline; Jacks rudely sends him away, deeming him unimportant.
- LaLaHost of the gala; absent from the scene but her party sets the setting for the stone search.
- Unidentified handsome strangerTall, black-haired, bronze-skinned man Evangeline collides with, closing the chapter on a new connection.