A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn Read Free Book Online Page A

appears at the door. Jack, we gotta go. Theyre all awake, and theyre after me for
     stealing the crown!

A Kiss in Time

Chapter 7
    T
    
    
     hings get a little crazy then. Theres Travis at the door and then two guards with actual
     swords. When they come in, Travis starts yelling, I dont have them! Search me if you dont
     believe mejust dont behead me! One of the swords swings around, and he jumps. Get those
     things away from me!
    Then a bunch more people show up. Most of them are holding fancy old dresses.
    Next is a woman, who Im guessing is the one the prin- cess called pudding-faced Lady
     Brooke, because her face does look as beige and bland as vanilla pudding. Talia runs to
     her, screaming with anguish. Lady Brooke! I have done it! I have done it!
    Done what, dear? Lady Brooke says. Ruined everything. I am so sorry. Travis has managed to edge away from the guards in the confusion when the dressmakers
     showed up. Now, he tugs my arm. Come on, man.
    I start to go, glancing back at the princess, whos still wailing away.
    Wait! the princess screams, loud enough to make everyone in the room stop what theyre
     doing and look at her. Everything is silent, and I realize that no one but Talia and I
     know that theyve been asleep for hundreds of years.
    Finally, pudding-faced Lady Brooke says, What now, dear?
    The princess points at me. He cannot leave. Why not? Because he has kissed me! Every eye
     in the room turns on me. The guards notice Travis again, but this time they grab both of us. Have you defiled the princess? one guard
     demands,
    getting close with the sword. No . . . I mean, I dont think so. No! Talia says. I am not
     defiled in the least. But he must stay. Who are you? Lady Brooke asks. Im Jack ONeill . . . from Florida . . . I guess
     I broke some spell. No need to thank me. If youll just call off your guard before he removes
     something, Ill get going.
    The princess lunges toward me. You cannot go. You have broken the spell. Do you know what
     that means? When I dont answer, she says, It means you are my true love. Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Travis whispers.
    I ignore him. True love? But I dont even know your name.
    My name? She looks surprised. Oh, well, that is easy enough. Everyone knows that.
    Except me. Once you tell me, can I leave?
    Very well. It is probably best to have a proper introduc- tion. She looks at Pudding Face
     and says, Lady Brooke. Lady Brooke nods, although she doesnt look happy about it, and
     gestures toward me. Jack ONeill, of Florida,
    you are presented to Her Royal Highness, Princess Talia.
    Talia.
    It is customary to bow at this time, Talia says. Your name is Talia? I didnt know . . .
     And yet, that is what you called me when you . . . I know. I shake my head. I mean, I
     didnt know your name, but somehow I guessed or something. It was weird, like someone told it to me.
    She nods. True love. It was meant to be.
    Look, I say, I might want to go out sometime, but as far as true love But you woke me! And I can only be awakened by true loves kiss. And besides, I am a
     beautiful princess. How could you not love me?
    Easy.
    Travis looks at Talia, then at the hands of the guards who are holding him, and then back
     at Talia. So, um, Your Royalness, do you think you could maybe let us go? Yeah, itsahgetting late. Its actually only twelve thirty, but who knows if these people
     can even tell time. Our tour groups waiting for us.
    Highness, this one is a thief! the guard behind Travis says. And if this person was with
     him, he must be an accomplice.
    Im no thief, I say, and neither is Travis. The crown was in his hands! says the guard. He
     didnt take anything, and Im the one who broke the curse and saved you all. Doesnt that count for anything? What curse? Lady Brooke says.
     What is he talking about? Talia ignores her. Yes. Guards, you must unhand this gentleman at once. He is an honored guest and a friend of my future husband. You must both
     stay for supper.
    Future