This Onyx Storm's biggest spoilers ruined for me, I can say that this installment in The Empyrean Series shocked me the most due to all of the great reveals and twists Rebecca Yarros included. That being said, some parts of Andarn'a storyline rubbed me the wrong way despite the many fascinating things we learned about her in this book.

Andarna's storyline of her finding the irids and having them reject her was not what I was expecting, nor did I expect their minimal contribution to the narrative. Their mystery may have sparked many an Onyx Storm theory surrounding the dragons, but it also made little sense considering the timing of everything. Andarna's return from the irids' den was especially confusing for me, but I fortunately found one theory on Reddit that not only explains her speedy return, but gives me some of the answers I hoped the book would reveal about the seventh breed of dragon.

Irid Theory Could Explain Why Andarna Returned To Violet So Quickly In Onyx Storm

Time Could Work Differently For The Irids

The theory that time works differently for the irids could explain how Andarna came back to Violet so quickly in Onyx Storm, as her departure seemed permanent yet ended abruptly. As mentioned, after being rejected, one of the irids offers to let Andarna return, which she accepts though it saddens Violet and Tairn. The parting was hard for me to read, but it became more confusing than painful since Andarna returns quickly in Onyx Storm, with seemingly few ill effects having occurred from her departure.

Andarna was gone from Chapter 54 to Chapter 64 of Onyx Storm.

However, after I read this theory that time could work differently for irids, everything made more sense. Andarna could have been with the irids for years, learning to bend time to her will and used it to it get back to Violet the moment she sensed she was in danger. This would allow her to learn all she needs and be back in time for her to take center stage after Onyx Storm. While this could seem far-fetched due to the more grounded magic system, there are clues within The Empyrean Series surrounding Andarna herself that made this plausible to me.

All The Evidence That Time es Differently For The Irids In The Empyrean Series

Andarna's Original Signet And Time In The Egg s This Theory

Andarna's feathertail signet of time stopping and the over six hundred years she spent in the egg is strong evidence for this Onyx Storm theory, allowing for The Empyrean Series to execute this story without giving it away. Andarna's original time stopping signet, which was discarded to let Iron Flame set up Violet's true second signet, seemed like an underutilized plot point, but it is likely a major clue. Considering how powerful the signet was, it makes sense that it would hint at both Andarna's status as an irid and why they are so revered by both riders and venin.

Another piece of evidence of the irid's time abilities would be Andarna's 650 years in her egg. While dragons can live long lives, Tairn being a big example, there is no proof that any other dragon can stall their hatching like she did. This paired with the way Andarna discusses it with Violet in Iron Flame just adds to the theory's plausibility, as she made that time seem almost insignificant. All of these pieces are not only fascinating to think about, but really helped me come to with Andarna's story in Onyx Storm, which felt ill-planned in some parts.

This Onyx Storm Theory Fixes My Biggest Problem With Andarna's Story

Andarna's Departure Felt Unnecessary

My biggest problem with Andarna's story in Onyx Storm, which is that her departure was unnecessary, is eased due to this theory as it gives this story beat purpose. I was sympathetic to Andarna's struggles over being unlike the other The Empyrean Series and her later dismissal by the irids, but after she left I was a bit disappointed. Andarna has been characterized as being loyal and fiercely loving to her found family, so to have her leave them so easily was jarring, especially after how cruelly the irids treated her.

If the theory is true, it would also give the books after Onyx Storm the chance to reveal more about the irids and how they defeated the venin years ago.

Once Andarna returned, that jarring sensation continued, as I assumed there was no way she had learned what she needed in such a short time and her absence had not been truly explored. This theory, though, makes this a deliberate choice over a glossed-over story as Yarros can explore how that time shift affected Andarna and how this new understanding clashes with Tairn and Violet's linear ideals. If the theory is true, it would also give the books after Onyx Storm the chance to reveal more about the irids and how they defeated the venin years ago.