Once Upon a Broken Heart

The next day, Evangeline sneaks out of the palace to meet Jacks. Jacks confirms that her suspicions are correct that he cursed Apollo to love her, and she demands he “fix Apollo, or I’ll call off the wedding” (172). Jacks agrees to wipe away Apollo’s false feelings if Evangeline marries the prince. Evangeline asks why Jacks wants the wedding to happen, but he refuses to tell her. He claims what he wants will hurt no one. Evangeline says, “I don’t think you and I have the same definition of hurt” (175).

Jacks brings Evangeline to a castle made of purple brick. Evangeline’s second kiss will be to the house’s matriarch, and Jacks advises she get it over with as quickly as possible. On their way up the castle’s walkway, Jacks warns Evangeline to beware of Marisol because she’s jealous of everything Evangeline has. Evangeline doesn’t want to doubt Marisol again and ignores the warning.

The house is full of rich carpets and expensive-looking objects. Evangeline and Jacks don’t wait long before the matriarch enters, wearing a gown and makeup that make her look like the type of doll “people had nightmares about coming to life and killing them in their sleep” (180).