Onyx Storm

One of the irid dragons speaks to Violet in her mind, and she quickly realizes that all of them can communicate with her this way—something she thought only happened between bonded dragons and their riders. The irids refer to Andarna as the criterion and question what happened to her tail, as she has a scorpiontail while they all have feathertails. When Andarna explains that she chose it for herself, they demand to know how she settled on it. Violet learns that there are hundreds of irids, none of whom bond with humans. They have Andarna recount everything from her hatching to the present. Once she finishes, Andarna asks if she passed their test. The irids say they were not testing her, but Violet—and Violet failed. They accuse her of taking advantage of Andarna, forcing her into the Dreamless Sleep too early and using her as a weapon. While Andarna is proud to be a weapon, the irids are disappointed by it, as they are dragons of peace. They reveal that Andarna was left behind to see if humans would stop using magic as a weapon once the wards were in place. Since that has not happened, the irids refuse to involve themselves. One irid warns that Andarna has given Violet a dangerous gift.

Andarna informs them that to achieve peace on the Continent, the Areian Wardstone must be fired with irids. The irids refuse to help, even if all humans are wiped out, believing that might be for the best. When Andarna asks about a cure for venin, they tell her there isn’t one—each time a venin wields, they destroy a part of their soul, and that loss is irreversible. Only one irid, Leothan, shows any interest in helping, but the others reject Andarna. They declare that she is not worthy of staying on their isle or learning more about her kind.

When Xaden and Garrick arrive, the irids react immediately, doing something that turns the rims of Xaden’s irises bright red. Realizing what he is, they are furious that Violet and her team are working with a venin. One irid calls Xaden an abomination before they leave. Ridoc, having seen Xaden’s red eyes, now fully understands why Violet is so desperate to find a cure.

The others return, and with their search now pointless, the group decides to go home. In private, Ridoc demands that Violet tell him everything she’s been hiding. Ridoc struggles to accept Violet’s reasoning for the risks she’s taking with Xaden. He warns that every venin eventually continues wielding and rises in rank, meaning Xaden is destined to do the same. He asks what it would take for her to give up on him, but Violet insists that nothing could make her stop fighting for him. Ridoc refuses to accept that. He tells her that she needs to set a clear boundary. If Xaden crosses that line, Ridoc will turn him in. After much hesitation, Violet finally says that if Xaden ever hurts her, then he is no longer himself. Ridoc also insists that she tell Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Jesinia the truth when they return. He argues that more people need to know in order to protect her because when Xaden inevitably turns, people will recognize that the easiest way to kill him is by killing Violet. Since the confrontation with the irids, Xaden has kept his distance from Violet. He blames himself for the irids’ rejection, as she could have changed their minds about a deal if they hadn’t met Xaden and realized what he was.

Upon returning to Basgiath, the squad shares a sweet reunion with the riders left behind. Rhiannon is saddened to hear of Trager’s death. Violet struggles to tell them that their quest failed; they found the irids but they refused to help. General Aetos overhears this. He mentions that their punishment will come later, but for now, informs Cat that Suniva fell to the dark wielders, and Queen Maraya is dead, leaving her uncle, Viscount Tecarus, as the ruler of Poromiel. Aetos also hands Violet a letter that arrived an hour ago from Theophanie, who taunts her for traveling so far for answers that she could have provided. She hints that they will see each other again soon.

Leadership interrogates the squad for 12 hours, but they are ultimately spared from punishment because King Tauri is pleased that Aaric has returned. In Battle Brief, they learn that the venin infiltrated Suniva, bypassing its massive walls and setting a fire that killed nearly everyone. Of the four riders sent to help, only one survived, along with two dragons. Twenty-five thousand lives were lost.

Xaden arrives and asks what was stored in Suniva’s armory. They discover that six crates of daggers were taken by the venin, suggesting that someone from the inside is feeding information to the enemy. The venin used a storm to enter the city, meaning Theophanie was with them. Since she can control lightning like Violet, she was able to guide them through the storm clouds without being struck. Her strength confirms that she is a Maven.

Violet, Ridoc, Rhiannon, and Sawyer visit Jesinia. She has a package for Violet from a seamstress in Chantara. While at the Archives, Violet finally tells her friends the truth about Xaden, as Ridoc suggested.

Violet has a nightmare about the Sage. She sees Draithus burning behind her as he tells her to come to him. When she refuses, he lifts the Sword of Tyrrendor and moves to strike her—at which point, she wakes. Violet opens the package from Chantara and finds a nightgown and robe made from the fabric she had admired in Deverelli. Xaden had sent it back to Basgiath ahead of their return. Hoping to pull him out of his brooding, she decides to write to him, just as he once wrote to her.

In class, they begin training on battle dismounts and quick remounts. Violet and Tairn manage to do it, though they have to adjust their technique from the others. After class, Violet speaks with Xaden and gives him a letter along with a black wrist cuff as a birthday gift.

Felix arrives with news from Aretia. Two wyvern managed to break through the wards before eventually dying, though they got further than the last who attempted. This confirms that the wards are weakening. Felix has come to help train Violet.

Three weeks pass, and Xaden is called to Tyrrendor. Violet and the others come across Lewellen and Calldyr arguing about Tyrrendor matters. Xaden arrives and informs the men that he has already made his decision—he plans to open Tyrrendor’s borders to take in civilians. Halden arrives and tries to forbid it, but Xaden stands firm, warning that Draithus will fall within weeks and vowing to take in any citizens who can make it through the pass to Tyrrendor.

Lynx finally receives his signet—he is a shadow wielder. Xaden notes to Violet that magic has chosen a replacement for him, sensing he won’t be around much longer. Xaden announces that he is leaving—he has resigned from his position as a teacher. Violet begs him to stay or at least meet her in Aretia, but he refuses and leaves.

Sawyer asks Violet to come with him while he attempts to mount his dragon, Sliseag, using his new prosthetic leg. At first, he struggles and argues with her about adjusting their method to accommodate him. Eventually, he gives in and accepts Sliseag’s help. When their friends see him riding again, they all cheer in celebration. The squad then flies to Aretia, where they are set to spend a week. Upon arrival, Brennan seeks out Violet and reveals that he knows Xaden is venin. He admits that he has already tried to heal him but failed. However, Brennan also shares that Xaden hasn’t given up hope on seeking a cure, which relieves Violet.

Xaden returns one night, knocks on Violet’s bedroom door, and kisses her. He reveals that he has not channeled for 73 days. When she asks how long he needs to go before he trusts himself with her, he admits that he had set the goal at 76 days—which is twice the length of Barlowe’s longest strength without draining after his first channeling. However, he came back early because he realized that he hadn’t channeled even when he was beyond the wards, suggesting that he should be able to control himself around her.

Violet and Xaden sleep together, and Xaden doesn’t lose control.

Violet has the same nightmare again. The Sage tells her he is tired of waiting and that he will kill her if she does not come to him. She wakes to find Xaden caught in a nightmare. She wakes him and describes her dream, explaining that she was on a battlefield in Draithus, watching it burn while the Sage held her by the throat. However, this time was different—when she looked down to channel from the earth, she saw his hands instead of hers. Xaden realizes that it was not her dream—she was inside his. Violet’s second signet is dream-walking.

In the nightmare, the Sage was speaking to Xaden about Violet, demanding that he bring her to him. They realize that this is not the first time she has unknowingly entered someone else’s dreams. She recalls an instance in Samara when she may have entered Maren’s dream as well—she was trying to save a burning family portrait as Cat tried to drag her to safety. They seek out Maren, and Violet asks if she has a portrait of her family. Maren goes into her room and emerges with a painting identical to the painting Violet dreamed about in Samara. Violet admits that losing the painting used to be her worst nightmare. Now, Violet and Xaden understand that Violet has the ability to wander into anyone’s mind while they sleep, their minds completely unshielded.

The dragons and gryphons warn their riders and fliers that a wyvern hoard is approaching from the east; Aretia is under attack. Violet commands Andarna to guard the wardstone and tasks herself with guarding the wall. Rhiannon argues that their second and third-year riders should all guard the gates. The third-years go to the east gate with Dain, and second-years go with Rhiannon to the north gate.

Just as Violet is about to leave for her designated post, Aaric sprints after her. He tells her she must protect Dunne’s temple. Violet brushes off his warning, insisting she must protect the entire city. She insists Dunne’s temple attendants can protect themselves before rushing off. Aaric says that the temple is how she saves Tyrrendor. Violet and Rhiannon pair up and take their dragons to the sky to fight wyvern, where they confront Theophanie.

Rhiannon and her dragon chase after Theophanie, while Violet and Tairn retreat to the ground after Tairn sustains a minor injury. They land near Dunne’s temple, where Violet is shocked to see Andarna, who is supposed to be guarding the wardstone. Andarna insists she’s following the prince’s orders, as Aaric told Violet to protect Dunne’s temple. A wingspur has broken off in Tairn’s leg, which Violet can’t remove. Rhiannon doubles back, sees the injury, and uses her ability of transporting objects to pull the wingspur out of Tairn.

Theophanie arrives at the temple, and the priestess there calls her a heretic. Violet pieces together that Theophanie was once a priestess of Dunne herself. Suddenly, Theophanie sees something behind them at the temple that terrifies her and her venin companions into leaving. One of the venin vanishes in the same way Garrick can. A wyvern crashes from the sky and slams into one of the temple’s pillars, shattering it. Xaden appears and uses his powers to slow the falling debris, preventing it from injuring Violet. The wards are now fully functional and holding because Leothan, the irid, has arrived and activated them.

Leothan has helped them for Andarna’s sake, but whatever he’s seen of the battle has confirmed his fears about Violet. Andarna insists that Violet defends her people and the dragons. Leothan says Andarna’s own behavior is abhorrent and nothing like the irids. Violet steps in to defend Andarna and commend her bravery.

Leothan admits he’s from the same den as Andarna and considers her family. He allows Violet to stay while they talk but insists that no one else listens. Leothan states that Andarna should be given a chance to learn and choose their ways. He offers to teach Andarna if she comes home for a few years. Andarna doesn’t want to leave Violet, but Leothan insists. He informs Andarna that irids are different; they are magic, and she has the ability to break the bond between her and Violet.

Leothan promises that Violet’s bond with Tairn will sustain her life and that, should Andarna wish to return, she can always reforge the bond she broke. When Andarna hesitates, Leothan asks Violet what she advises. Though it breaks her heart to do so, Violet says she wants Andarna to make the decision that makes her feel happy and safe. With Violet’s blessing, Andarna breaks their bond and flies off with Leothan. Violet collapses under the pain of losing the bond, caught by Rhiannon, and soon Xaden. She tells them Andarna is gone.

The chapter opens with an epigraph stating that no rider has ever survived losing their dragon. Violet remains in bed for three days, grieving Andarna’s loss. It is only when Mira returns that she finally forces herself to get up. Brennan and Xaden crowd into the room as well.

Violet bathes, and when she emerges, she catches the end of an argument between Mira and Brennan about their grandmother, Niara. Mira explains that she read their mother’s journals and noticed that she deliberately left out the months when she and Brennan were left with Niara while their parents took Violet somewhere. When they returned, their grandmother cut off contact. Mira believes their parents took Violet to Dunne’s temple to be dedicated. When the priestess began the process, she told Violet’s parents that Violet had paths to choose from; due to one of those paths, they refused to take her. Mira has been requesting temple records for months, but none listed a Sorrengail. Mira cuts herself off when she realizes Violet has entered the room and heard everything.

Things begin to shift into place in Violet’s mind. She remembers how shocked the people of Dunne were to see dragons, realizing that their mother didn’t take her to Dunne; their father did. When Brennan asks Mira what exactly the priestess said, Mira reveals that she “said the heart that beat for [Violet]—or within [Violet]—would do the wrong thing for the right reason, reach for unspeakable power, and turn dark” (645-46). Though Mira believes this was a warning that Violet could turn venin, Xaden reveals that the priestess must have been talking about him. He admits to Mira that he’s in the beginning stages of turning.

Violet struggles with runes now that she no longer has access to Andarna’s magic. She must use abrasive strands of Tairn’s instead. However, with the instruction of her classmate and Imogen’s best friend, Quinn, Violet is able to create a satisfactory rune in class. Later, Violet overhears Bodhi and Xaden arguing because Bodhi wants to drop out and join the fight. However, Xaden insists that Bodhi stay and graduate—he needs him to be safe so that he can take over the rule of Tyrrendor if Xaden turns fully venin.

Violet finds herself in Xaden’s dream again. When she realizes what’s happening and calls to him, something shifts—she is no longer just seeing through his eyes but is now able to walk through the dream herself. The Sage tells Xaden that if Violet does not come to him, a mysterious “she” will die. Violet does not know who he is referring to.

Violet wakes herself and Xaden just as Garrick arrives at their bedroom door, bloodied and beaten. He reveals that Theophanie attacked his patrol but left him alive to deliver a message. The venin have reached Draithus and are demanding that Bodhi and Violet be delivered to them within five hours—or “she” will die. When Violet notices the dragon scale Garrick is holding, she finally understands who “she” is. The scale belongs to Teine, Mira’s dragon: The venin have taken Mira.

Violet and her peers argue over what to do next. Xaden objectively states that they don’t have enough riders to retrieve Mira, defend Draithus, and protect the pass. Brennan claims they need to prioritize one or two objectives only. Violet doesn’t want to leave people to die, but Brennan tells her hard decisions must be made in leadership. Professor Trissa reveals that General Melgren won’t send reinforcements. He has seen the outcome with his signet and proclaimed the battle a defeat. Violet claims he’s only seen the outcome of one path—one that couldn’t have had three rebellion relics. They decide if they take more marked ones with them, the path taken would not be the vision Melgren saw.

Garrick reveals that Theophanie demanded Xaden bring Violet and “his brother.” While everyone assumes this means Bodhi, Xaden remembers the venin referring to each other that way: Theophanie is referring to Jack Barlowe, Xaden’s venin brother, as they were both turned by the same sage. Brennan forces Violet to decide what their priority is, warning that if they try to save everyone at once, they will fail. Violet decides to focus on killing Theophanie.

Violet, Brennan, and Xaden arrive at Draithus and see the overwhelming number of wyvern and venin forces approaching. Tairn communicates with Violet: Aaric was spotted flying on Molvic away from the conflict. When they arrive at a northern field where Theophanie is, Violet sees Teine chained to the ground and surrounded by wyverns. Theophanie holds a knife to Mira’s throat. Garrick arrives with Jack in a large chest, expecting to trade him for Mira’s life, but Theophanie slits Mira’s throat.

While Violet is distracted diving for Mira and clutching at her open throat, Theophanie throws a dagger at Jack, attempting to kill him, then flees. Brennan races to Violet and Mira’s side and begins trying to heal her, but he doesn’t have enough power. Dain and Sloane arrive. Violet begs Sloane to help siphon power from Dain and into Brennan using her signet power. This gives Brennan the power he needs to heal Mira’s wound, though it leaves a thick pink scar around her neck.

Sloane hands Violet a letter addressed to Aaric from Dunne. Violet briefly wonders why Aaric sent Sloane into a war zone to deliver his mail to her. She slips the package into her jacket pocket.

Dain, Sloane, Brennan, and Xaden depart to carry out their roles in the battle plan, leaving Violet behind with Bodhi and his dragon, Cuir. While Brennan flies Mira to safety, Violet sends Tairn to carry Mira’s dragon, Teine, to safety as well. Garrick is sent to return Jack Barlowe to his cell, as it is now clear he has information that Theophanie and Berwyn don’t want Navarre to know.

While Tairn is out of range, Theophanie returns. When a sudden storm comes on without lightning, Violet realizes her mistake. Theophanie is not a lightning wielder like her, but a storm wielder like her mother. Bodhi wants to stay and fight with Violet, but she prioritizes his life and urges him to leave. His dragon, Cuir, agrees and grabs Bodhi by force, flying them away from Theophanie and Violet. Violet battles Theophanie, but she is outmatched. Theophanie attempts to convince Violet to channel, but Violet refuses, knowing that even if she fails, her friends are more than capable of succeeding without her.

The narrative switches to Rhiannon’s point-of-view as she’s stationed with Ridoc in the Medaro Pass, assisting the civilians attempting to flee through it while simultaneously fighting off wyvern. Rhiannon witnesses Ridoc freezing a wyvern from the inside out, a stronger manifestation of his signet that allows him to control ice.

Theophanie has Violet in her grip, but Violet headbutts her, breaking free. To avoid being drained when Theophanie channels from the ground, Violet climbs onto the dead body of a wyvern. Sgaeyl arrives, grabbing Violet and carrying her to Tairn. Meanwhile, the battle rages on, with countless wyvern attacking. Violet uses her lightning to take them down several at a time. Aaric, who was seen leaving the battlefield prior, returns with a thousand Zehyllna soldiers and their horses. Tairn and Violet refocus on their one objective and fly for Theophanie in the distance.

Imogen’s perspective reveals her fighting against wyvern attempting to rip Bodhi and his dragon apart. Imogen notices two venin approaching the tower where her best friend, Quinn, is stationed. Imogen dismounts her dragon and rushes to protect Quinn but is intercepted by Dain. A nearby venin blasts fire at them, and Imogen and Dain duck behind his shield. Imogen somehow turns it to stone, suggesting she might have awoken a second signet.

Imogen reaches Quinn and helps kill the venin she’s fighting, but Quinn has been fatally stabbed in the chest. With her last words, Quinn urges Imogen to confess her feelings to Garrick before it’s too late. She dies in Imogen’s arms. Garrick appears and teleports himself and Imogen away using his walker signet, though he is dangerously close to burnout.

Violet tries and fails to strike Theophanie’s wyvern with lightning. A distant pained roar notifies Tairn and Violet that Xaden and Sgaeyl are in trouble. While they’re distracted, a net is thrown over her and Tairn from above, sending them plummeting to the ground. Using a rune, she is able to loosen the net enough for Tairn to start freeing himself.

Aaric’s package has come undone. Inside is a roll of parchment and a ceremonial-looking dagger made of grey marble. A note from Aaric tells Violet to strike in the dark. Theophanie approaches and Violet tucks the dagger out of sight. Theophanie reveals that Sgaeyl has been captured using another net. Violet attempts to attack Theophanie, but Theophanie is too fast. To make her hesitate, Violet asks if she misses Unnbriel. Theophanie asks if Violet knows the pain of not being allowed to return, “knowing that it would sever the very thing that’s kept [her] untouchable all these years” (737). A massive wave of shadows rushes toward them and Violet realizes it is Xaden channeling from the earth.

Violet remembers Aaric’s note and is shocked to realize his signet has manifested. He is a pre-cog: Aaric saw the future and handed her a weapon made from a fractured temple that Theophanie apparently couldn’t step inside. When the darkness falls over them, Violet casts lightning to see, illuminating Theophanie, who stumbles right into an invisible wall, which reveals itself to be Andarna. Theophanie reaches out a hand to touch Andarna in wonder, but fearful she will drain Andarna’s life force, Violet sprints toward her and stabs her in the heart with her blade, killing her.

Xaden’s point of view depicts Sgaeyl captured in a net and injured, which makes him lose control. He refuses to let the venin kill her. Berwyn, the Sage, is there—Xaden thought he killed him, but he survived. Berwyn has turned someone else venin and keeps referring to them as Xaden’s “brother.” Xaden feels betrayed and doesn’t understand how this person turned after watching Xaden struggle with the same thing over the last five months.

Xaden despises Panchek, whom he deems a coward for selling them out to the venin. Panchek supposedly wanted power from Berwyn and believes he won’t hurt him when he’s the only one who can give Berwyn access to his “son.” Berwyn kills a dragon with a dagger, killing it instantly, which Xaden thought was impossible. When Berwyn moves toward Sgaeyl, Xaden channels from the ground to protect her, killing all the venin and wyvern around them. However, because of their bond, he is unable to kill Berwyn. Xaden continues sending his shadows outward to tear into wyverns and venin assaulting his allies. Xaden clings to his love for Violet even as the other parts of his soul are chipped away. He stops, knowing that if he continues, the next part of himself he will lose will be the part that loves her.

Sgaeyl breaks free, and Xaden asks if she will finally forsake him now. She says she’s not sure there’s anything left of him to forsake. He lowers his shield and asks her to see for herself. What she sees shocks her. She asks if he really thinks Violet will help—with a subject that’s not identified—and he says she will because she loves him. Sgaeyl promises to ask for Tairn’s permission, noting that Violet’s decision will determine their fate.

Violet suddenly finds herself outside Riorson House, feeling disoriented. Brennan rushes outside, frantic, and asks where she has been—she has been missing for 12 hours. Someone gives Brennan a report stating that four riders and their dragons, along with three elders, have been murdered. Four riders are still missing—Garrick among them. They believe Xaden is responsible. Additionally, six dragon eggs are missing.

Violet is unsure of what has happened. She notices an emerald ring on her wedding finger—the same stone used in the Blade of Aretia—and a note in her pocket from the Head Priestess of Dunne, blessing her legal marriage to Xaden. Another note from Xaden tells her not to look for him and that it is hers now. Though the note might imply Tyrrendor—of which she’s now the Duchess—it might be referring to something else, though Violet remembers nothing. Violet realizes that Imogen has wiped her memories of the last 12 hours, including her wedding to Xaden. When she confronts Imogen, Imogen confirms that she only did what Violet asked her to do.