Masha

“Glad to know you're thinking about me when you kiss your husband.”
― Stephanie Garber, The Ballad of Never After

“Stop flashing your fangs. I’m the only one who gets to bite her.”
― Stephanie Garber, Once Upon a Broken Heart

“Nothing has been safe since the moment I laid eyes on you. And yet I don't want to look away.”
― Stephanie Garber, The Ballad of Never After

“You're good at this,' she murmured. 'Do you often travel with girls who've been flayed?'

That earned her a soft laugh. 'No.' Then quietly, as he ran a cloth along her lower back, just below the dip in her waist. 'Would you be jealous if I did?'

I'm not a jealous person was what Evangeline intended to say, but instead the words 'of course' came out.

Jacks laughed, louder this time.

Embarrassment surged through her. 'That's not what I meant to say.'

'It's all right. I'd probably kill another man if I found him with you like this.' Jacks' hands pressed harder as they went to her shoulders and, one by one, ripped off the sleeves of her dress so that what remained of the gown completely fell away.

She made a sound somewhere between a squeal and a gasp. 'What that really necessary?'

'No, but everyone should have their clothes ripped off at some point.'

She imagined Jacks was mostly trying to distract her from all the pain, yet she blushed all the way from her cheeks to her chest.

Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw him smile.

And for a second, nothing hurt.”
― Stephanie Garber, The Ballad of Never After