“The Mother of All?” I echo. “I’ve heard her.” The words tumble out before I can stop them, but my eyes widen as the realization hits me. “I’ve heard her!”
Theron tilts his head. “You’ve heard of Éva?”
“Éva? The Mother of All is Éva?” My throat is dry, my heartbeat loud in my ears. “The Éva who ate the apple in the garden? The one who doomed humanity because of a snake?” My words spill out faster and faster.
Theron straightens, his broad shoulders stiff, and he exhales as he shakes his head in disbelief. “Is that what humans think?” he asks, almost to himself. “Unbelievable.”
His intense gaze meets mine and he says, “Noël, there’s a story every vólkin knows. It’s been passed down for generations—a tale of love, betrayal, and balance. It’s the story of Éva and the Wolf.”
I lean in without thinking even as the nýmphí weave more flowers into my hair. “I’m listening.”
“In the beginning, when the earth was new, countless spirits roamed the land, each searching for their purpose. The world was beautiful, brimming with potential, but it was wild and untamed. Among the spirits was one of great power and wisdom, a guardian of creation who watched over everything.
“The spirits wanted to see their world through new eyes, to give life to something that could experience it as they never could. So they shaped a man from the earth and breathed life into him, calling him Ádám. He wandered the world in awe, but he was alone. His heart grew heavy with loneliness, and he longed for a companion.
“Moved by his longing, the spirits created a woman, Éva, who was graceful, strong, and full of life. For a time, it seemed like the two would build a bond that would shape humanity’s future. But Ádám’s heart faltered. He sought another, abandoning Éva and leaving her with nothing but betrayal and grief.
“Devastated, Éva fled to the heart of the forest. She found solace in nature, learned its ways and connected with the wild. The trees, the rivers, and the creatures became her companions. She spoke their language, sang their songs, and found a balance within herself that the world outside had denied her.
“One day, a terrible beast attacked her, threatening to end her life with its hunger and fury. But just as it struck, a wolf emerged, strong and noble. The wolf fought the beast with everything he had, driving it away and saving her life. Wounded but victorious, the wolf lay at her feet, and Éva cared for him, tending his wounds.
“Over time, they grew close. Their bond was built on trust and respect, and eventually, love. When the spirits saw this union, they blessed it, granting them a child, the first vólkin. This child was unlike any other, a being of both human and wolf, embodying the harmony between the natural world and humanity.
“For years, Éva and the wolf raised their child in the forest, teaching it the ways of both worlds. But Ádám, consumed by jealousy and anger, couldn’t stand the sight of Éva’s happiness. He sought them out, determined to destroy what they had built.
“When Éva learned of his plan, her fury burned brighter than the stars. She called upon the spirits to find Ádám. They obeyed, and when Ádám stood before her, she used her power to seal him deep beneath the earth, ensuring he could never harm her family again.
“With Ádám gone, Éva raised her child in peace, teaching the vólkin to respect life, to live in balance, and to protect what they loved. The vólkin carried these lessons forward, becoming the guardians of the natural world.”
My eyes widen, and anger simmers beneath my skin. Éva, the Mother of All, wasn’t just misunderstood, she was silenced.Another woman condemned by the will of men. The thought holds tight in my chest, and my heart pounds like a drum.
I sit up straighter, staring at Theron, my hands trembling.
“Noël?” His brows pull together in concern.
“For centuries,” I say, my voice raw, my words sharp and bitter, “women have been silenced and abused. For centuries—if not longer—women have endured stupid rules made by stupid men.”
My fingers dig into the grass as though it’s the only thing anchoring me to earth. “We suffered! From the very beginning. From the time ofcreationitself!”
The thundering in my chest becomes louder, each beat stoking the fire in my veins. Around me, the roses respond to my fury, sprouting dark, twisted thorns. My breath comes hard and fast as rage swallows every thought.
I try to push myself up, but my body refuses my sudden motion. The nýmphí are at my sides instantly, holding me firmly. Theron moves just as quickly, his strong arms wrapping around me.
I clutch at his thick fur, my fingers trembling, my chest heaving with my fury. My vision blurs as anger boils through me.
Looking up at him, my voice shakes, raw and enraged.
“I will restore the balance.”
31
SIX WILL RISE UNDER THE CRESCENT’S WATCH
“When the moon turns thrice and the veil thins, she will rise with soil on her skin and fire in her blood. The first of six, born of sorrow and silence. The world will know her not by name, but by the weight of her vow.”
—Láda Veléša, Goddess of Leadership and War
Theron
