It goes without saying that THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven’t read this chapter of Onyx Storm, please go read it first.

We open this chapter with a letter from Fen Riorson:

“Marriage is a necessary evil to secure the line. Nothing more. Save love for your children.”

This felt very cold. But I have to wonder—why did he want his son, Xaden, to marry Catriona? The assumption was always that he believed he would win against Navarre and that Tyrrendor would regain its independence. So why create an alliance with Poromiel?

Why does Cat always state that she wants the crown? That brings me back to Fourth Wing:

“In his last days of interrogation, Fen Riorson lost touch with reality, railing against the kingdom of Navarre. He accused King Tauri, and all who came before him, of a conspiracy so vast, so unspeakable, that it does not bear repeating by this historian. The execution was swift and merciful for a madman who cost untold lives.”

Back in Fourth Wing, we all assumed that Fen Riorson was talking about the venin. But now I’m starting to wonder—could he have been accusing King Tauri of stealing the seat of power from Tyrrendor? Could the true seat of the crown have been Aretia, not Calldyr?

Well, I don’t have much to say about Violet and Xaden together. They’re finally together, and it just works for them. Young steamy love, aye?

But one thing I will point out:

“Are you sure? You know what I am,” he says slowly, and a flicker of something that looks like fear crosses his face.
“I know who you are.”

This immediately makes me think of Fourth Wing, when Tairn spoke to Violet at Threshing:

“I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail.”

Who and what.

Xaden uses the word what here. So apart from being human… what else is Violet? Is she a God?

And here’s the confirmation we’ve been needing—without magic, dragons don’t do well.

“All the dragons are, I think—not that they’ll admit it—but I don’t think they can survive, or at least thrive the way they do at home, away from magic. I could never cause Sgaeyl pain.”

So, you see—why would an isle without magic want feathertails? Unless… until they channel, they aren’t bound by the same limitations? I can’t help but think of that second Krovlan uprising. I just know there’s more to it.

Back to the chapter, we learn that King Courtlyn of Deverelli has decided to keep Halden. And the only other aristocracy he will allow to visit is Xaden Riorson. Let’s not forget that at some point, we learned that Tyrrendor was the last province to cut contact with Deverelli.”Tyrrendor was the last to cut contact with the isles. The province has a reputation for its cunning leadership, but in this case, I would add: astute.”

On a fun note:

“Like that armoire no one was supposed to notice getting hauled out of her room during first year.”

This begs the question—how much more has Ridoc noticed? While I do believe he’s loyal, I can’t help but wonder—why did he insist so much on being around Violet? Why was he so determined to come on this mission? And most importantly… What else has Ridoc noticed about Violet that he hasn’t said a word about?

Onyx Storm Read Along

• Onyx Storm Read Along: Prologue
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 1
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 2
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 3
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 4
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 5
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 6
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 7
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 8
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 9
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 10
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 11
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 12
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 13
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 14
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 15
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 16
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 17
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 18
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 19
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 20
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 21
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 22
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 23
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 24
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 25
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 26
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 27
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 28
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 29
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 30
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 31
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 32
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 33
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 34
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 35
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 36
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 37
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 38
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 39
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 40
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 41
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 42
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 43
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 44
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 45
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 46
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 47
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 48
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 49
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 50
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 51
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 52
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 53
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 54
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 55
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 56
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 57
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 58