Chapter 71: The Spirit Bond
After a moment, she broke it. "I think I know what the spirit animal means."
Galen tilted his head slightly. "The jaguar?"
"Yes." She sat up slowly, the sheets falling around her waist. "I want to see him. I think I’m ready to accept him."
"You’re sure?"
She nodded firmly. "I’m ready to accept my fate, whatever the Moon Goddess planned when she made me the chosen one. If that’s what it takes to protect this kingdom, my siblings, and everyone I love, then so be it. I need to be stronger."
Galen studied her for a long moment, then got out of bed. "Then I’ll go with you."
She gave him a small smile. "I was hoping you’d say that."
He grabbed his shirt and adjusted his sword belt. "The jaguar is in the royal menagerie. He’s...not exactly friendly."
"Not friendly?" she repeated, raising a brow.
"Yes, not friendly to other animals. He acts like a king among the beasts," Galen said, his tone light. "Probably because he was offered as a gift to the Queen as a mating tradition. I suppose he took it too seriously."
Aveloria chuckled. "Then he must have known his destiny as a spirit animal. Acting high and mighty suits him."
That made Galen laugh too, the first genuine laugh she’d heard from him in a while.
They dressed and made their way through the palace courtyard. The morning sun was mild, and the guards bowed as they passed. The path to the royal menagerie was long, stretching behind the eastern gardens. The sound of distant roars and growls grew louder as they got closer.
The menagerie was vast, built with stone enclosures and open fields for the larger creatures. Exotic animals from neighboring kingdoms roamed in sections, lions, bears, buffalo, tigers, and others. But the jaguar had its own open field at the far end, surrounded by low hills and tall trees.
The guards at the gate stood alert. One of them stepped forward when he saw Aveloria. "Your Majesty," he greeted, bowing deeply.
"I want to see the jaguar." She said.
The guard hesitated slightly. "He’s...been restless since dawn. Growling and pacing. I don’t think—"
"I’ll be fine," she said before he could finish. "Open the gate."
Galen gave the guard a look that made him obey without question. The heavy gate creaked open, revealing a vast grassy field.
As soon as they stepped inside, Aveloria felt something shift in the air. The other animals went quiet. The wind whistling was the only sound.
Then, from across the field, a low growl rumbled.
A large jaguar emerged from behind a cluster of rocks, and its eyes locked on Aveloria immediately.
"Your majesty—"
"He’s not here to attack." She said quietly to the guard.
As if hearing her, the jaguar began to move, slowly at first, then faster, running across the field in long, fluid strides. It jumped over a low barrier, closing the distance between them until it stopped a few feet away.
Aveloria didn’t move. She stood still, her eyes fixed on him.
The jaguar lowered itself to the ground, its massive body relaxing. Then, it lay flat at her feet, its head bowed low, as if waiting for her touch.
Galen exhaled quietly. "Good boy."
Aveloria crouched slowly, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out. When her fingers brushed the jaguar’s head, a rush of warmth surged through her arm. It wasn’t painful, just powerful. She gasped quietly, feeling something spark deep in her chest, like her blood was being stirred awake.
Then she heard it: a voice, calm, deep, and clear inside her mind.
"Do you accept me?"
Aveloria’s eyes widened. She looked at Galen immediately. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" he asked, frowning.
"He spoke," she said breathlessly. "He asked me a question."
Galen stared at the jaguar, confused. "All I heard was a grunt."
The jaguar lifted its head slightly and let out another low sound, circling them slowly. Aveloria could still hear him in her mind, the words firm and steady this time.
"I accept you. I’ll protect you. And him."
She froze. "He just said he’ll protect us both."
Galen blinked. "He...what?"
She turned to him. "He’s not just my spirit animal. He’s our protector now."
Galen still looked unsure, though the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. "Well, that’s good to know," he muttered. "I prefer him on our side."
The jaguar made another sound, something between a huff and a growl, before settling again, his golden eyes fixed on Aveloria. She hesitated for a second, then reached out to touch him once more. The warmth returned, stronger this time, pulsing through her veins like a steady heartbeat.
For the first time in a long time, she felt whole. The visions, the prophecy, the fear, all of it suddenly made sense. The jaguar wasn’t just a spirit guide; he was a living reminder that her destiny was real.
"I accept you," Aveloria muttered. She looked at Galen. "It’s done. The bond is complete."
He smiled, the tension on his face easing. "Then maybe now you can rest easy."
She was about to respond when the sound of footsteps broke the quiet. One of the palace guards came running toward them, his armor clattering. He was panting heavily, his face pale with panic.
"Your Majesty!" he shouted.
Both Aveloria and Galen turned immediately.
"What is it?" Galen asked sharply.
The guard stopped a few feet away, bending forward to catch his breath. "It’s the prince," he said between gasps. "Prince Evander...he’s been attacked."
Aveloria froze. The words hit her like a slap.
Galen’s eyes narrowed. "Where?"
"In his chamber. The healers are with him, but—" the guard hesitated, glancing nervously at Aveloria, "—it doesn’t look good, my lord."
Aveloria’s hands trembled slightly. She didn’t need to say anything; Galen was already moving, grabbing her arm gently but firmly.
"Come on," he said.
The jaguar let out a loud, sharp growl that echoed through the field. The animals nearby scattered. Aveloria turned to him for one brief second. Their eyes met, and she heard his voice again, low and steady in her mind.
"Go. Protect your blood."
Then she ran.
She and Galen sprinted out of the menagerie, the guards clearing the path as they raced through the palace halls. Her heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts a blur. Evander. The attack. The warning Elder Thalos had given her.
Everything she feared might already be happening.
When they reached the corridor leading to Evander’s chamber, she saw two soldiers posted outside. Blood stained the floor beneath the door. The sight made her chest tighten.
Aveloria didn’t wait for permission. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was in chaos, furniture overturned, curtains torn. Healers worked frantically over Evander’s body. His shirt was soaked with blood from a deep wound across his side. His face was pale, his breathing shallow.
Aveloria froze in place, her body going cold. Galen caught her by the arm before she could stumble.
"Your highness, we’re trying to stop the bleeding."
"What happened?" Galen demanded.
"I don’t know what exactly happened." The healer replied.
"I...I was sleeping when I just sensed a presence, and before I knew it, the figure had a knife to my neck, ready to kill me...I fought really hard...he managed to stab me and then escaped through the window." Evander rushed out his words even as he winced in pain.
Aveloria’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t random. She could feel it in her gut.
"Did you get to see your attacker’s face?"
"No. He was all covered. He was fast...and had a rotten smell to him."
She turned to Galen, her voice barely above a whisper. "It’s started."
He looked at her. "What is?"
Aveloria said nothing. "No...no...Serene and Seraphina..." her voice shaking slightly.
"They are fine, your highness."
Aveloria turned towards the voice. A tall figure, dressed as a guard, approached them. "The princesses are doing fine." He exchanged glances with Galen.
Galen moved closer to him. "Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Yes."
"Then how did you end up not safeguarding the prince?" Galen gritted.
"He asked that no one step into his room or anywhere close and —"
"That’s not an excuse! I gave you an order!" Galen snapped, still trying to keep his voice low.
"I apologize, my Lord." He bowed.
Galen didn’t say anything else. He turned towards Aveloria and just held her hand tightly.
"Is he going to be okay?" She asked.
"Yes. He should heal in a few days." The healer replied.
"You worry too much, Lori. I’ll be fine."
Aveloria looked at her brother again, his face pale against the sheets, and felt her heart ache. She knew she couldn’t lose him. Not again.
"Please, Evander, don’t ever ask the guards to stay away. They are with you for a reason."
"Don’t scold me, Lori. I can handle myself."
"You can’t handle anything. Just look at how deep the wound—"
He cuts in. "Okay! Fine...they can stay."
"Good."
And in that moment, Aveloria understood one thing: the battle she feared had already begun.
