This theory is brought to you by the one and only: Kevin. Chances are you’ve seen Kevin in the comments section a lot. Kevin loves the Empyrean Series, and he’s really smart with his theories.
Edit to add: Kevin would also like to give ‘Reddit user Tairnsilverone’ some credit for helping with this theory.
I’ve been sitting on this theory for a couple of months, out of deference to Rebecca Yarros. But since parts of it have already cropped up on forums, now’s as good a time as any for a full reveal – with a massive spoiler warning for the final two books of the series.
Xaden’s mother, Talia, is a dedicated priestess of Loial, Goddess of Love. Her role involves forging alliances with major houses by providing male heirs (the sample size is small) born dedicated to Loial. This sidesteps the law changed in 200 A.U. that forbade guardians from dedicating their children to their favorite deity.
Only Dunne and Loial demand lifetime service. Dunne’s followers have silver hair, while Loial’s… have gold-flecked eyes.
This explains how Xaden will be ‘cured’ and why, unlike Theophanie, the process won’t be fatal.
Let’s back up and work through this slowly. Most Empyrean theories rely on what’s written, and Yarros hides Easter eggs masterfully. For example, in Fourth Wing, Chapter 2, as Violet prepares to walk the parapet:
“… as thunder cracks above me, the sound oddly comforting. I’ve always loved the nights where storms beat against the fortress window, both illuminating and throwing shadows over the books I curl up with…”
In two sentences: storms, lightning, shadows, books – the entire premise revealed.
Deeper theories, though, hinge on what Yarros doesn’t reveal. Take the 12 runed daggers Xaden made for Violet. One unlocked a door by ‘need’, another blocked Catriona’s mindwork, and in Onyx Storm, a third blocked the sun – opening yet another rabbit hole we won’t dive into now. The point: Violet never asked the obvious question, “What else do these daggers do?” because Yarros is saving that reveal.
The Quest Squad skipped Loysam, Loial’s island, on their journey to find the irids. It’s either irrelevant or deeply important. Likely the latter. Had they visited, they’d have discovered those dedicated to Loial have gold-flecked eyes, and Yarros wasn’t ready for that reveal.
It’s assumed Talia came from Hedontis because she was found there married to Faris (second of the Triumvirate) with two sons, the eldest about eleven. She told Xaden bedtime stories about a land without war where people had purple eyes – not because she was from there, but because it was her next destination. She’d already contracted to provide an heir to Fen Riorson in Navarre and was now fulfilling her role in Hedontis. Given her sons’ ages, had the Quest Squad arrived months later, she might have already moved on. She may have ended up in Cordyn married to Viscount Tecarus, Poromiel’s second most powerful noble – though now that he’s King, that future is less clear. Tecarus is described as in his late 40s, Talia in her early 40s.
People from Hedontis don’t travel by water and typically have light eyes that turn purple. Talia traveled to and from Tyrrendor and has dark brown eyes with gold flecks.
The introduction of Theophanie laid out the book’s path. Theo was a priestess of Dunne who abandoned her position centuries ago when she turned venin. Centuries? Berwyn said he’d been waiting centuries for someone like Xaden and he’s still a sage compared to Theo’s maven rank. In Onyx Storm, Theo noted few were faster or older than her. Venin don’t die naturally, so General Daramor is likely still lurking, possibly far older than six centuries.
Theo still yearned for temple but couldn’t enter one without losing the power that kept her alive – in other words, being de-venined (and in turn, killed). Aaric brought the temple to her using a knife made from temple stone. When stabbed, her venin power was removed, and her body reverted to its natural (dead) state. The difference is Xaden has only been venin for under a year. The final book will likely conclude around Violet’s graduation, meaning he can be safely cured.
What we don’t know is whether Xaden must be lured into one of Loial’s temples or if other details distinguish dedication to Dunne from Loial. Remember, “There is no goddess more wrathful than Dunne. Entering Her temple will slice the soul from any attendant who has shunned Her grace.”
Quickly – Violet has a pre-existing relationship with Malek forged when her mother almost died during pregnancy. In this series, “almost died” equates to meeting Malek, while actual death means the soul is commended to him. This is why Violet’s dedication to Dunne couldn’t be completed, leaving only her hair ends silver.
Consider Iron Flame when Varrish tortured Violet and Liam appeared. He said:
“… maybe Malek sent me as a kindness.”
Take it literally. Violet noted he looked exactly as the last time she saw him, dressed in flight leathers. Liam died bonded to his dragon, leaving his body intact. Malek sent Liam as a kindness – and Jack Barlowe too, who also “met Malek” when he saved Violet atop the Academy building. Jack wouldn’t abandon his station to save a stranger without a divine shove.
When Violet nearly died after Resson, Brennan – another who “met Malek” – was there to save her. During the wardstone pouring at Basgiath, her mother, also previously touched by Malek, sacrificed herself for Violet.
Even Tairn “almost died.” His arrival at Violet’s threshing might have been Malek’s work rather than Sgaeyl’s or Andarna’s. Tairn also summoned Xaden when cadets broke into her room.
In Onyx Storm, Aaric gave Violet a letter with the stone dagger:
“A gift from one servant of Dunne to another. I must warn you – only those touched by the gods should wield their wrath. I will pray to Her that she need not use it to avoid reacquainting herself with the other who curries her favor. Her path is still not set.”
Simplified: “A gift from one servant of Dunne to Violet. Only those touched by the gods should wield their wrath. I pray she doesn’t need it and reacquaint herself with Malek. Her path with Dunne and Malek is still undecided.”
Finally, some math. In Violet’s first year, the Great War ended 632 years ago. Andarna remained unhatched for 650 years, her egg left roughly 20 years before the war. Only six riders bonded, meaning irids never bonded then. Everything we know about bonding and signets is based on non-irid dragons.
Irids are described as ‘magic’. Violet, Tairn, and Andarna alone could communicate on the islands. It’s not a stretch to think Andarna was the source. Lightning struck during Violet’s fight with Queen Marlis. The island had no magic, so it was dismissed as coincidence. Violet was carrying two runes that block the sun’s power: one rune was on a dagger from Xaden, another rune came from Mira. Blocking the sun in this context is , perhaps, linked to blocking certain forms of sky-based magic (including lightning power). Early in the fight with Marlis, Violet threw one dagger away and lost the other. This means that by losing both runes, her block on sky magic was removed. Perhaps one or both of those daggers carried the sun-blocking rune. When she lost them, her natural ability to call on sky magic – like lightning – was no longer blocked.
So the lightning strike wasn’t a coincidence. It was Violet unconsciously channelling sky magic because the runes were no longer suppressing her.
When the first quest squad left Samara to retrieve the citrine, Violet carried only one sun-shielding rune. Magic slipped free, power expanded around her, and she felt an urge to pluck strands from the sky and weave runes. Tairn told her there was actually less power, but she was growing strong enough to sense what was once invisible. Andarna said, “I could recognize it if you ever let me come with you,” implying that Andarna knows this sky magic and could help Violet use it if Violet let her join on quests. Even while carrying one rune blocking her power, Violet could sense this sky magic. Imagine what she could sense if she carried no runes at all. It implies that the runes are suppressing her true magical abilities, possibly related to her unique bond with Andarna and her lightning power.
We’ve been told the Great War was won when a rider drew on sky power. Venin say Violet has this ability but doesn’t know how to access it. Even the first six riders seemed unaware an irid had ever bonded – suggesting Violet may be the first. She is a dreamwalker, but Andarna may yet give her more. Yarros may have hidden this through the sun-blocking runes on Violet’s daggers and Mira’s rune. Two runes block sensations; one still leaves her feeling the urge to weave runes from the sky. Imagine an absence of runes.
When Andarna arrived during the Unnbriel fight with Marlis:
“… and the air charges in a way I’m all too familiar with… The heat within me snaps outward and breaks with my voice. Lightning streaks downwards.”
Violet asked if she was okay. Andarna replied, “I am… angry.” When Xaden asked if Violet called the lightning, she said no, but the heat, anger, and snap made her wonder if the power came from Dunne.
As you can see, there are multiple theories here woven into one text. Runes, Gods…and so much more to be uncovered.
I think Xaden’s dedication to Loial offers a cure. Violet has subtle protection from Malek while being partially tied to Dunne. The runed daggers will remain significant. Book 5 will likely end around Violet’s graduation. Violet’s paternal grandmother, Colonel Daxton, once curated the scribe quadrant like Colonel Markham and knows all the secrets. We need to meet her, no doubt.
I have no idea who the new ‘brother’ is, but it feels like the puzzle locks on Asher’s books. The obvious (Bodhi) and second guess (Garrick) are wrong…
My thoughts and comments on Kevin’s theories
IIn all fairness, I was ready for one theory, but instead I got a ramification of so many fragments that I don’t know what to do with myself.
Let’s start from the beginning: the gold-flecked eyes. Interestingly enough, I hadn’t considered the possibility that both Xaden and Talia could have been touched by Loial. It actually makes an awful lot of sense. When we were on Dunne’s isle, hair was the main feature that marked the priestesses – not their eyes.
In fact, at some point, Violet says, “I would almost swear her eyes flash golden and glance my way for a second,” referring to Andarna taking the form of Dunne. Golden eyes, not onyx with gold flecks. That’s an important distinction.
Meaning it makes perfect sense why we haven’t gone to Loial’s isle yet. She might be the key to saving Xaden.
Kevin’s theory also makes sense when it comes to Talia’s contract. As a priestess of Loial, carrying children and creating legacies aligns perfectly. “Marriage is a necessary evil to secure the line. Nothing more. Save love for your children.” That’s what Fen Riorson said, right? Maybe this is Loial’s way of ensuring love in its purest form still exists – for the children.
Furthermore, Kevin’s theory dives into why Violet is favoured by Malek. Oh, I’m 100% with him on this one. Violet has been touched by both Dunne and Malek, and when asked to pick one in front of Dunne… she picked “him.”
“Dunne will accept you. It is not too late to choose Her.”
I raise my eyebrows at the woman. “I choose him.”
Whether Violet was referring to Xaden or Tairn, her answer remains the same. But could it actually have been Malek?
Finally, I want to touch on Kevin’s idea that right now, Violet is unable to access sky magic because of Xaden’s runes. Could he unknowingly be suppressing her potential? It’s possible. I like where Kevin is going with this. It could also explain why, now that she’s experienced sky magic, she’s become magic herself – which is why, at night, with no runes or anything, she can still dreamwalk despite not being bonded to Andarna.
Ahhh, this was a great one, Kevin. Thank you so much for putting it all together. I can see you’re reading the books on repeat, just like the rest of us.
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