One theory is that Xaden Riorson is Inntinnsic. This theory was developed entirely by me (after reading the books 4 times now).
The theory came to me after reading several passages in the book which relate to how Xaden can read Violet’s mind and replies to her out loud. While many others suggest that this is just because of the connection between their dragons being mates, I believe this goes beyond.
So much so, that this is made evident when Tairn, Violet’s dragon, becomes angry at Xaden for seemingly trying to read him.
Here are the passages that make this obvious to me:
Chapter 4, Page 52 – Violet can sense when Xaden is around, even though he is not in his line of sight. I believe this happens when he reads her mind.
“The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a chill races down my spine as I cross the centre of the rotunda, then my steps halt. Cadets move around me, but my eyes are drawn upward, towards the top of the steps that leads to the gathering hall.”
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Chapter 7, Page 87 – When Violet says that Xaden can see through her, and she gets that ice prickly sensation which, again, reiterates it’s when she can feel Xaden. I think this is what she feels when he reads her mind.
“He looks at me like he’s trying to see through me, and ice prickles my scalp.”
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Chapter 8: Page 100 – Again, Violet realises that prickling sensation
“There’s no ignoring the prickle at my scalp, and I let my gaze shift to meet Xaden’s.”
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Chapter 8, Page 102 – Violet telling us AGAIN about her prickling ice sensation
“I’m happy to step in.” That voice. That tone. That prickle of ice along my scalp.
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Chapter 9, Page 110 – Violet and Xaden on the sparring mat, when Xaden reveals that he knows about the poisons
“Because you can’t poison every enemy you come across”
“How did you know?”
“Oh, Violence, you’re good, but I’ve known better poison masters. The trick is to not make it quote so obvious.”
Comment: Of course, you could argue that Xaden does indeed pay close attention to Violet and he noticed that all her opponents were weakened just before her match. But I find it interesting that, as pointed out above, she can feel that ice prickle just as he steps onto the mat because he just read her mind about her feeling afraid. That would also explain him knowing about the poisons, as evidently, he just read her mind before stepping onto the mat.
At the same time, of course, it could be just Xaden’s excellent observation skills. Who knows…
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Chapter 10, Page 125 – Violet can feel that prickle on her scalp despite that she’s hiding and Xaden does not have a direct line of sight to her
“May scalp prickles and Xaden stops mid-step ten feet away, the set of his shoulders rigid.”
Comments: It’s so clear that she can really feel the moment Xaden reads her. And she was hidden, there was no reason for him to see her beyond the fact that Xaden always scans the room to read other people. And that’s when he realised she was there, thus stopping mid-step and her having that same prickling sensation. I know many people argue that they can feel each other once their dragons are bonded, but this is not yet the case. She can just…feel him. And sure, there’s a lot of attraction there, but surely not enough for her to feel this sensation over and over. In the following paragraphs, Garrick also pauses, sensing something amiss. His gaze specifically lands on the couple in the corner, as if he knows that the only potential issue could be Xaden reading others’ thoughts…
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Chapter 10, Page 130 – Xaden tells Violet he knows about her plans for the Scribe Quadrant
“Ah. And then you lose a squadmate, and you can’t quite get up the chimney, and you give up. I’m starting to see. It’s not a flattering picture, but if you want to run off to the Scribe Quadrant.”
Comments: In no point in the book was Xaden at the Gauntlet practice to know that Violet can’t quite make it to the Gauntlet. Besides, at the practice, only the squadmates are there nobody else, which means nobody would have told Xaden about this. During the practice, Violet didn’t feel any of the usual prickle either to just say that he might be around. So how else would he know that practice detail, if he were not in her head then and there? Of course, his explanations is plausible and can easily stir us in a different direction…
Chapter 10, Page 130 – Xaden mentions his shadows see everything.
“I know everything that goes on here. Shadows, remember? They hear everything, see everything, conceal everything.”
Comments: This is a very plausible explanation for how he always knows what’s going on with Violet (the poisons, her hiding in that tree, her hiding in the alcove, the discussions with Dain etc). But let’s back to the first time I mention that he really tries to see through Violet to see if she’s telling the truth. Hmm….
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Chapter 13, Page 162 – Another prickling sensation
“My scalp prickles as each of our heads swivel in his direction”
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Chapter 16, Page 190 – Whop whop, you guessed it, another prickling sensation
“My scalp prickles, and I glance across the field at him. As if sensing my gaze, he looks over and holds up a single finger. Target number one.”
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Chapter 17, Page 199 – Oh look, another head tingling sensation
“My whole head tingles.”
Comments: Yes, the above is in relation to Xaden, even though out of context it doesn’t make much sense.
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Chapter 18, Page 213 – Our girl Violet is now getting used to the sensation too
“I feel a tingle in my scalp and know that if I turn, I’ll find Xaden watching us. Watching me.”
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Chapter 18, Page 219 – Xaden knows how to mask thoughts from others
“Start mentally reciting whatever bookish shit you’ve learned”
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Chapter 18, Page 222 – When she feels Andarna’s power rather than her own.
“Skin-prickling energy zings down my spine, then rushes to my fingertips and toes, and the next breath I take is in total, complete silence.”
Comments: Maybe a little far-fetched but notice how when she feels Andarna’s magic, her skin prickles down with energy, the same way as she can feel Xaden’s magic having an effect on her. I know, this begs the question…how come that she doesn’t feel Dain’s magic on her. And my only speculation is that he can hone his skills with leadership to be able to “hide” it from others. Or maybe, he’s not as powerful. As I said, a bit far-fetched but wanted to include it here too.
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Chapter 19, Page 225 – When Violet thought something and yet Xaden replies to her as if she’d said it out loud
“I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive. I repeat the mantra in my head […]
Yes. You’re alive.”
—
Chapter 19, Page 226 – When Xaden magically knows Violet’s lying
“I’m fine”. I’m not.
His focus snaps back to my eyes. “Never lie to me”
Comments: Like, how would he know? Unless he’s reading her right then and there. It’s obvious she said something out loud and thought something else. And yet, he knew!
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Chapter 19, Page 229 – Xaden can read that she’s afraid of the dark
“Hope you are not afraid of the dark.”
This is fine. This is absolutely fine.
“But just in case you are.”
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Chapter 19, Page 229 – Xaden admits that he reads her
“Or did I read that wrong?”
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Chapter 19, Page 230 – He would know if she tells his secrets
“Let me guess, and you’ll know if I tell?”
“Yes.”
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Chapter 19, Page 232 – Conversation between Xaden and Tairn when Xaden is trying to figure out what happened in Violet’s room, during the night of her attack.
“We need to know what happened in that room.” Xaden’s dark gaze cuts through me like a knife for a millisecond before he glares back at Tairn.
“Do not dare try and read me, human, or you’ll regret it.”
Comments: I mean, Tairn clearly knows…
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Chapter 19, Page 236 – Reiterating that rare abilities are so important…and Xaden mentioning that reading minds is a capital offence..
“A mind reader is a capital offence. You know that.” […]
“Rare abilities, when kept secret, are the most valuable form of currency we possess.”
Comments: Please mention that he used plural “we possess”. He has one, and yeah, I hold it, he can read minds. He knows others have rare ones too…which they must be kept secret.
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Chapter 21, Page 257 – Oh look, her scalp prickles (again!)
“My scalp prickles, but I fight the urge to turn around.”
Comments: The fact that she just “figured” he arrived without even seeing him.
Chapter 22, Page 271 – He can “hear” her thoughts
“His back. My quiet gasp is uncontrollable, and Xaden tenses for a second before […].”
Comments: Why would he tense if he can’t hear her thoughts?
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Chapter 22, Page 279 – As if he can hear her thoughts, oh wait.
“Closer. I need him closer. As though he can hear my thoughts”
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Chapter 30, Page 378 – Lucky guess? Or can he read her thoughts?
“F*cking desk. My thoughts exactly.”
Comments: Ok, this is the only paragraph which, I think, might be coincidental.
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Chapter 31, Page 397 – Familiar prickle and Violet knows he’s in the room
“I feel a familiar prickle along my scalp, and I know Xaden has filed into the Battle Brief room […].”
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Chapter 31, Page 398 – Violet is thinking and Xaden calls her out on it
“Of course he would. Xaden is a master of containing his own emotions,[…] responsibility for every marked one in here.
Whatever you’re thinking can wait until there’s not a room of people between us, he says.”
Comments: I just find it interesting that he mentions to her whatever you’re thinking and not whatever you’re saying, as they also communicate via their mind connection.
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Chapter 32, Page 419 – Xaden and Violet having their intimate moments when Xaden replies to her inner thoughts.
“I’m not going to survive this. I’m going to die right here in this bed.
Then I’m going to die with you, he promises, kissing me. I’m so far gone, I didn’t even realise I said the world out loud, and then I remembered I don’t have to.”
Comments: She didn’t say out loud, and she didn’t say it to him. Come on, you know it, I know, Rebecca Yarros knows it. 🙂
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Chapter 34, Page 438 – When Xaden is searching for her thoughts
“His eyes search mine for an answer to a question I haven’t asked”.
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Chapter 35, Page 443 – When he flat out tells her he knows what she’s thinking
“I know what you are thinking.
You have no idea what I’m thinking. You’re thinking I’ve betrayed my kingdom.
Logical guess, good for you.”
Comments: I also love the sass here.
Chapter 35, Page 450 – Xaden says Violet wouldn’t know if someone read her mind
“I would know if someone read my memories.
Xaden’s face falls and his hand slips downwards, cradling the back of my neck.
No, Violence, trust me you wouldn’t”.
Comments: Oh Xaden, don’t worry man, we trust you. We know that you know that Violent wouldn’t know. Because, you’ve been doing it. Wait until she finds out (read my Iron Flame theory).
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Chapter 39, Page 492 – Omg he keeps his shields up to respect her privacy
I keep my shields up, trying to respect her privacy as I walk to her side, but gods, I need to know what she’s thinking.
Extras which may support this theory
He does say that keeping the rarest of abilities a secret is the best currency they have.
My conclusions
I understand that there is a deep connection between Xaden and Violet because of their dragons being mated, but they can only talk to each other, and not actually read other’s mind. They might be able to feel each other and sense other’s moods but nowhere in the book does Yarros mention being able to actually read. But in the examples above, it’s clear to me that he reads her thoughts and replies specifically not just to her mood but to her thoughts exactly.
UPDATE: Was I right about it? Please note that spoilers will follow and you should read Iron Flame first! Iron Flame Verdict: Was the Xaden is Inntinnsic Theory Proven or Disproven
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