Heir of Fire

chapter seven

Gemma stood in the shadows of the courtyard, her heart pounding in her chest. The night was cool, the sky a deep indigo speckled with stars. The castle loomed around her, its stone walls cold and indifferent to the turmoil that churned within her.

Gemma stood in the shadows of the courtyard, her heart pounding in her chest. The night was cool, the sky a deep indigo speckled with stars. The castle loomed around her, its stone walls cold and indifferent to the turmoil that churned within her.

What was she doing?

Queen Rhaella's words echoed in her mind: Tell him before it is too late.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly on the door.

For a moment, there was no response, and Gemma's heart sank. Maybe he wasn't there. Maybe it was a sign that she shouldn't go through with this. But just as she turned to leave, the door creaked open.

Sam stood there, dressed in the simple tunic he wore beneath his armour. His face, usually so composed and confident, softened in surprise at the sight of her. "Gemma?" he said, his voice low and laced with concern. "What are you doing here?"

Gemma swallowed hard, her heart racing. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind a thousand times, but now that it was here, the words seemed to elude her.

"I needed to see you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sam's brow furrowed, and he stepped aside to let her in. The room was sparse, a small bed and a single chair by the window. A sword rested on the table, gleaming in the faint candlelight. Gemma glanced at it, the weight of what she was about to do pressing down on her.

Sam closed the door behind her, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "Why are you here, Gemma?" he asked again, softer this time. "Is something wrong?"

Gemma turned to face him, her hands trembling. She had to tell him the truth. Not just about her feelings, but about everything—who she was, where she came from. She had been living a lie for so long, and now, standing in front of the man she had grown to care for, it felt impossible to keep it hidden any longer.

"I..." she started, her voice catching in her throat. "There's something I need to tell you."

Sam took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. "What is it?"

She closed her eyes, steeling herself. "I'm not who you think I am."

He frowned, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

Gemma took a deep breath, her chest tightening with every word. "My name isn't Gemma. It never was. I was born Serena. Serena Reyne of Castamere."

The silence that followed was deafening. Sam stared at her, his expression unreadable as the weight of her confession settled between them.

"Serena Reyne?" he repeated, as if the name itself was foreign to him.

Gemma nodded, tears stinging the corners of her eyes. "The Reynes of Castamere. The family Tywin Lannister destroyed. My family."

Sam remained silent, his gaze never leaving hers. His face was a mask of shock, disbelief, and something else she couldn't quite place.

"I've been hiding for years," Gemma continued, her voice trembling. "I thought I could escape it, but I can't. I thought... maybe if I started a new life, I could forget. But the past won't let me."

She wiped at her eyes, trying to compose herself. "That's why I came here tonight. I had to tell you the truth. I couldn't keep pretending anymore. Not with you."