Page 105 of About Love and Revenge

“What?”

“I didn't know the name of this thing I have until recently. It was Zoe who explained it to me. I'm dyslexic,” I repeat. “She's made an appointment with a specialist for next week, when she comes to New York for the masquerade ball.”

“I don't mean to be insensitive, but what does this have to do with my proposal?”

“What do you mean? It haseverythingto do with it. You won't want to bond with someone who doesn't—” I almost blurt it all out, but shame stops me. “Someone whocan'tlearn.”

“I don't want you to say anything like that ever again. Why beso hard on yourself? I know next to nothing about dyslexia, but we can research it together. Just give me a few days and I'll find out all about it.”

If I weren't so confused, I would be able to smile. This is how he handles everything. Odin is not afraid of responsibility. He even seems to crave it.

“Have you never sought help?"

I shake my head from side to side, not looking at him. “It will be the first time I've been to a doctor to try to understand more about my...about my problem.”

“The first time? What about your parents? They had to know about it, right?”

“Yes, they both knew, but it's complicated...”No way am I going to reveal that my problem was just another weapon my father used to keep me under his thumb. I'm not ready to tell him everything yet.

Seeming to notice my discomfort, he says, “Okay, you said you'd go to a doctor with Zoe, but if you don't like him, we'll find another one. Only, as I said, I still don't see any connection between that and getting married.”

“Odin, this is just one of the many secrets we keep from each other. I just told you something that has embarrassed me all my life. Would you trust me with what torments you too?”

He doesn't say anything for so long my insecurity can’t handle it and I get up from his lap.

“That's what I thought,” I say and head to the bathroom.

“Where are you going? We’re having lunch in half an hour.”

“I'm sorry, but I can't. I need to think. I'm not ready to decide anything right now.”

A week later

UMAMI BURGER - NEW YORK

“So you didn't answer?”

“No."

“I don't know if I would have either. It wasn't exactly a romantic proposal.”

“It's not that. I don't care how the proposal was made. Until recently, I thought I didn't even want to get married.”

“And now, do you want to?”

“I don't know if I want to get married, strictly speaking, but I want more of him, more than we have.”

“You are in love.”

I look at my plate. “Yes, I am. I don't know how it happened, but I don't think there's any other name for what Odin makes me feel, other than love.”

“Even though he hates your father?”

I sigh, tired of never sharing my problems. Maybe the time has come to truly open up to someone. After a sip of my juice, I tell her about my father's likely responsibility for Orien's death, and that I also suspect that Odin's mother was Leandros's mistress.

I won't reveal everything he told me that day in Montana, but I do say that I think the revenge he’s planned against Leandros is to avenge his family.

Zoe looks shocked.

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