Chapter 1: The Unveiling
Summary of The Reclamation: Sam and Celaena were always meant to be together. Once she finally realized it, there was no looking back. If Celaena was going to truly let Sam fall for her, she had to let him know everything. Celaena could not have predicted Sam's response, but it certainly set them in motion.
Arobynn was right! She thought to herself. That damned fool, why did he have to come back into her life after she left the Assassin's Keep. She certainly paid him more than a lifetime's wages to get her and Sam out of there. Couldn't he just let it rest? But after his unwelcome visit to her apartment, she couldn't stop thinking about what he said. How he thought she didn't trust Sam because she hadn't revealed her full identity. She hoped there would be a day that Arobynn was no longer puppeteering her whole life but maybe he was right this time. She was going to have to tell Sam the truth about herself. The dark and twisted path that led her to be Adarlan's Assassin. It's not that she didn't trust him, it's that she didn't want to burden him with the truth. Gods, the things people would do to torture that information out of him. But when would she find the time to tell him, they were supposed to take down Jayne and Farran tomorrow. The two largest crime lords in Rifthold, Arobynn didn't even think it was possible.
Celaena was lounging on the velvet couch in her new apartment, lost in her thoughts. The warehouse apartment did not quite measure up to the extravagance of the Keep, but it was worth it to be out of Arobynn's clutches. Sam was at the table poring over the city map, brow furrowed, plotting their take down of Jayne and Farran.
"Celaena!", Sam whispered, attempting to break the spell of whatever trance she was in. She jolted back to the present moment. She had to tell him now before fear took her over. If the mission didn't go well tomorrow. If they were captured, she needed him to know what he risked. And if the mission went well, he deserved to know that they would be in at least some form of hiding for the rest of their lives. She had lived so many years in secrecy it was time to finally speak her truth.
"Sam, you deserve to know the real me, the me that I have kept a secret for the past seven years," Celaena said as she set down her tea. She fussed with the edge of her shirt pulling at a stray string. She was hoping this would feel easier, but the twisting in her stomach said otherwise.
Sam barely glanced up from his maps, "What could you possibly tell me that I don't already know? Do you think I didn't see you pocket my favorite dagger three years ago? You can come clean now, but I already sent you the bill", he gave her a wink.
"Sam, really." She gave an exasperated sigh, "if we are actually going to go after Jayne and Farran, I need you to know this. This changes everything"
He put down his maps and turned towards her, picking up on the seriousness of her tone.
"I already know you. I know everything about you. From the moment Arobynn brought you to the keep, I've watched you. The way that you slurp your soup, the way that you throw your daggers on the floor after a tough training practice. Celaena, there is not anything else you could tell me that would turn me away" Sam wrapped his hands around hers.
Sam meant it. He had been studying her since the day she was brought to the keep. While they had fought endlessly, he had always held on to hope that things would change one day. He couldn't believe that he woke up with her curled up next to him each day, her golden hair in a tangle on the pillow.
"It's more than that. This changes everything, Sam." Celeana pleaded. The twisting in her stomach had formed a lead knot. She wondered again if this was the right time. Maybe they should just do the kills, take the gold, and run away together. Maybe they could just lead a normal life. But that isn't a decision she got to make, she wasn't just a normal woman. She was the only hope for the people of Terrasen. She would not turn her back on her promises to her people.
"You are Adarlan's Assassin, you are a walking target. Even when we leave Rifthold, people will know who you are. I have chosen to be with you and know the associated risks" Sam said calmly but sternly. He was sure of his choice, there was truly nothing that could change this.
Celaena took a deep breath. Here was one more person being pulled into her story. One more soul that could be taken just by knowing her first name. But it was Sam, if she was going to commit to Sam– and God's was she ready to commit to Sam– he needed to know her full self.
"My name is not Celaena Sardothien. I never was meant to be a trained assassin."
"None of us were." breathed Sam, the muscles in his jaw tensing. He would never forgive Arobynn. There was no reason innocent children should have had to sell their lives to take out the country's infamous villains. Each and every one of them had been used. Celaena was not telling him anything he didn't know.
"I am Aelin Galathynius, Princess of Terrasen. My parents were murdered along with my people. Arobynn found me and raised me" Celaena said, no longer fumbling with her shirt. She had her chin up, looking directly at Sam. She refused to hide. As the words tumbled out of her, her vision for the future crystallized.
Sam was speechless. He always knew there was something different about her. He heard the rumors of the missing princess. The princess that set fire to an entire library. Everyone had assumed she was dead. Of course, that predator had taken her for himself. No wonder Arobynn couldn't let go of her.
Sam took a deep breath before he began "I cannot believe he has kept you in hiding for all of these years," he paused, "The Celaena I know–" He stopped himself, "The Aelin I know, does not deserve to be hidden away from the world anymore. You are the strongest, fastest, most stubborn person I know. You shouldn't be running out Rifthold killing off the city's muck. You can be so much more." He moved closer to her on the couch, speaking quicker as if everything was beginning to make sense to him "That is why you couldn't bear to see the slaves captive. Why you risked everything to set them free. I have said that I am with you through everything, and I meant it. I, Sam Cortland, am at your service Aelin Galathynius, I will follow you to the ends of the earth.
Celaena's eyes filled with tears. This was not the outcome she had expected, but it was more than she could have hoped. She grabbed his face between her hands and kissed him. She had truly found her match in Sam. He was right, she was wasting time in Rifthold. Her people were suffering in Terrasen. They had been suffering at the hands of the King for the past 7 years. She was finally in a position to do something about it. She kissed him again.
"You're right," she said softly, "it is time. I am free of Arobynn, I have paid my debts. It is time that I reclaim my throne. It is time that my people are free."
End of chapter 1
