Onyx Storm

Xaden is Violet’s love interest and a primary character in the series. Xaden has recently graduated Basgiath War College and entered into the military force as a rider. He is also marked with a rebellion relic, branding him as the son of a key rebellion leader—Fen Riorson, the former Duke of Tyrrendor. Xaden is bonded to a blue Daggertail named Sgaeyl, who is mated to Violet’s dragon, Tairn, and possesses a signet ability that allows him to summon shadows. His second signet ability is a rare inntinnsic ability that allows him to read people’s intentions—though this ability is a secret as it’s a powerful enough weapon to get him executed.

Xaden’s character undergoes more transformation than Violet’s over the course of the novel as he becomes a venin initiate and attempts to stop the corruption’s protection. Through accidental wielding, Xaden begins to lose more pieces of his soul, evidenced by the icy demeanor that begins to appear in intense situations. The progression of the venin side is evidenced by Xaden’s eyes, which become red-rimmed and amber-flecked instead of gold-flecked. The danger Xaden poses to everyone juxtaposed with the love he and Violet feel for each other, evidences the theme of Love Forsakes Logic. Even when warned by Sgaeyl, Tairn, Andarna, and the irids they find on the isles, Violet still refuses to see what is missing in him. She determines that, “We’ll live without them. He’s still whole to me. As long as we can keep him from channeling from the earth, find a way for him to control that craving, we’ll be all right. We have to be” (506). This irrational way of thinking is also how Xaden’s character forces Violet to confront The Limits of Redemption when she must consider how far she will allow him to go before she decides he’s too far gone to save.

Theophanie is a powerful storm wielder and a high-ranking venin, playing a major antagonistic role in Onyx Storm. Unlike the majority of venin, who are defined by their hunger for power and destruction, Theophanie is a uniquely composed and strategic villain. She is coldly analytical, rarely allowing her emotions to dictate her actions, and she displays an unnerving level of patience in her approach to warfare. She is responsible for the fall of Suniva, successfully leading venin forces in a devastating attack that results in the deaths of thousands—including Queen Maraya.

Her past is shrouded in mystery, but it is revealed that she was once a priestess of Dunne. This past suggests that, at some point, Theophanie chose to forsake her original path in favor of one that granted her greater power. Her cryptic words during her final battle with Violet—implying that returning to Dunne’s temple would “sever the very thing that’s kept [her] untouchable” (737)—hint at the possibility that she sacrificed something vital in exchange for her abilities. Whether she was forced into this transformation or willingly embraced veninism is left ambiguous, adding complexity to her character.

Her rivalry with Violet is particularly compelling because Theophanie represents a dark reflection of what Violet could become. Both wield immense power, both have deep connections to ancient forces beyond their understanding, and both are intelligent, strategic thinkers who prioritize long-term survival over impulsive action. However, where Violet clings to love and morality, Theophanie has fully committed to the venin way of life, believing that power is the only truth. She attempts to convince Violet to channel—knowing that once she does, she will never be the same—revealing her belief that corruption is inevitable.

Theophanie’s death at Violet’s hands is significant not only because it removes a dangerous enemy, but because it marks a defining moment in Violet’s character arc. Unlike previous battles, where Violet relied on her wits or external forces to win, this moment requires her to fully embrace the role of a killer. Her victory is not clean or heroic—it is a desperate, bloody fight that further blurs the lines between justice and necessity. Even in death, Theophanie leaves an impact, proving that the war against the venin is not just about power but about the fundamental question of whether resistance is truly possible—or if everyone will eventually “reach for unspeakable power” when pushed far enough.

Dain Aetos is a childhood best friend of Violet’s who is still on his path to redemption after betraying her trust in Fourth Wing. Dain’s signet allows him to read the memories of any person he makes physical contact with. While this ability normally warrants execution according to Navarre customs, Dain has been utilized by their leadership for their own aims. Dain formerly betrayed Violet’s trust—which ended in Colonel Aetos sending Violet and the rebellion-relic-marked riders into a deadly trap that killed a close friend of Violet, Liam Maori, who was also like a brother to Xaden. The betrayal damages Dain’s friendship with Violet and tarnishes his reputation amongst her friends. Dain’s redemption arc begins in Iron Flame when he fully breaks Navarre rules to save Violet and deserts with her allies to join the rebellion and protect the Continent from the venin.

His redemption arc continues in Onyx Storm when he sneaks into his father’s new quarters—which once belonged to Lilith Sorrengail—to steal journals belonging to Violet’s dad. Dain’s unique relationship with Sloane, which isn’t necessarily friendship or romantic, suggests that Sloane’s hatred for Dain due to his role in her brother’s death is slowly receding.

Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer are Violet’s close friends from Basgiath. Rhiannon is a squad leader and possesses a signet to teleport objects. Though Rhiannon is Violet’s closest friend within Basgiath at the beginning of the series, much of her time is now spent leading her squad and encouraging Sawyer to ride again as Violet ventures in search of Andarna’s kind.

Sawyer, who possesses the signet power that allows him to manipulate metal, is suffering from the loss of half his leg in the battle against the venin. Though he does not play a huge role in the story, he struggles with validating his worthiness of a rider due to his condition and must overcome mental hurdles to return to the battlefield to fight amongst his friends.

Ridoc possesses a signet ability over ice and is the humorous character of the friend group, always available with a witty retort or sly joke. However, Onyx Storm sees a more vulnerable side of him, as he reveals in a conversation with his friends: “It really pisses me off when you guys act like my sense of humor somehow lessens my ability to show up for our squad” (253). Ridoc becomes insistent on accompanying Violet in her quest which allows his character to be explored in further detail, setting him apart from the class-clown stereotype he conformed to prior.

Prince Camlaen Aaric Tauri—or Aaric Graycastle—is King Tauri’s third son and a rider at Basgiath War College who is bonded to a Blue Clubtail dragon named Molvic and is waiting for his signet to manifest. Aaric and Violet are childhood friends and she is one of a few people who know Aaric’s true identity when he joins Basgiath under the pretense of being just another standard Navarre citizen. His father is still searching for him, but Aaric is dedicated to keeping his location a secret from the royal family because he doesn’t want them to prevent him from taking action in the fight against the venin. When Halden involves himself more in political affairs, however, Aaric is forced to reveal himself to his brother in order to take Halden’s place on Violet’s quest. Throughout his time with Violet as they search for Andarna’s kind, encounter venin, and search for a cure, Aaric gives subtle indications that he knows what’s about to occur. Toward the end of the novel, the manifestation of Aaric’s signet power is finally revealed—raw precognition, without the limitations General Melgren’s ability has—which he has been using to aid Violet and their allies without their awareness.

Imogen Cardulo, Bodhi Durran, and Garrick Tavis are Xaden’s close friends who all wear rebellion relics—though Bodhi is related to Xaden by blood. Imogen, though not entirely fond of Violet, has grown substantially since Violet’s first year at Basgiath War College. What was once a vitriolic hatred that prompted Imogen to want Violet dead has now become a resigned tolerance and reluctant respect. Though Imogen would never admit it, she cares about Violet’s safety and is, in fact, the first of Xaden’s friends to approach Violet with concerns about them sharing a bed while Xaden’s so unpredictable after becoming venin. Imogen has been quietly in love with Garrick since the start of the series. Though she has not truly acted upon these feelings, it is obvious to her friends.

Garrick Tavis is one of Xaden’s oldest friends, as their fathers were good friends before them. Garrick, like many of the rebellion-marked riders, has two signets. He is a powerful air-wielder which is the only signet recorded by Navarre, but secretly, he is also a distance wielder which he reveals to Violet in Onyx Storm. This rare signet allows him to cross over great distances in seconds like teleportation.

Bodhi Durran is Xaden’s younger cousin who Xaden describes as more like a brother to him. Bodhi’s signet ability involves countering signets—or reducing or eliminating someone’s ability to use their signet. Multiple times throughout the novel, Xaden asks Bodhi to take care of Tyrrendor if Xaden dies or turns full-venin.

Catriona “Cat” Cordella is a gryphon flier bonded to Kiralair, Xaden’s ex-girlfriend (ex-betrothed), and the niece of Tecarus—who becomes King of Poromiel following Queen Maraya’s death in Onyx Storm. Though Catriona has made a reputation for herself as ambitious, power-hungry, and ruthless, she shows a more vulnerable side to herself in this third installment. Though her presence in the series has formerly been defined by her past with Xaden and her animosity toward Violet because of it, she has since struck an allyship—if not a tentative friendship and camaraderie—with Violet and her friends. There are subtle allusions to Cat finally overcoming her feelings for Xaden in favor of a budding attraction to Trager, however this is cut short by Trager’s sudden death on Violet’s quest, leaving Cat devastated.