The end of Iron Flame presents a major source of romantic tension for Onyx Storm. Xaden's transformation into a Venin, a creature consumed by a thirst for power, introduces a formidable obstacle in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. This revelation challenges the trust and understanding that Xaden and Violet have built. The series has consistently explored themes of power, control, and the potential for corruption, and Xaden's Venin state offers a compelling lens through which to examine these concepts.

As Xaden struggles to control his newfound abilities and the darkness within him, his relationship with Violet will undoubtedly be tested. His struggle for control over his new reality will likely extend to being overprotective of Violet. This will be a major challenge for the couple to overcome, especially considering Dain’s overprotective nature is what drove her away from him. That he might follow the same path and doom their relationship is one of many Onyx Storm theories that revive an exciting book release trend.

Iron Flame's Ending Already Set Up The Next Fourth Wing Book's Dain Replacement

Potential Abuse Of Power Is Among Shared Themes

In Fourth Wing, Dain does not trust Violet to take care of herself and continually tells her to leave Basgiath and become a scribe, despite her exceeding everybody’s expectations. This drives them apart. A major theme in Iron Flame is Violet and Xaden’s trust in each other. In addition, for much of Iron Flame, Violet is discovering more and more truths that challenge her upbringing as a scribe and confidence in her knowledge, which is likely to continue throughout the series. Her need for “full disclosure” dominates Iron Flame, likely the result of a loss of control over her reality.

Speaking with Variety, Rebecca Yarros said of Xaden, “One of the things I love to play with is that absolute power corrupts absolutely [...] people will pay with their souls [...] So it’s a matter of, how much of his soul did he exchange? And once you start, how do you stop and is it an addiction?” This emphasizes that being Venin has a number of stages, but is rooted in a thirst for power, which Jack Barlowe already had before becoming Venin. However, Onyx Storm will also likely explore the power the characters have with their signets – Dain abused his power to read Violet’s memories in Fourth Wing. One way Xaden could be a Dain replacement is by, whether in his control or not, using his signet on Violet.

Xaden Being Venin Seems Destined To Push Him & Violet Apart In Onyx Storm

Xaden Could Be Overprotective In The Next Book

Although Rebecca Yarros has stated that Violet will get her happy ending in the Empyrean series, she has made no secret about introducing problems between her and Xaden to provide tension in the narrative. Their enemies-to-lovers trajectory in Fourth Wing did not take very long, after all, so the pair need obstacles to overcome for their relationship to hold the reader’s interest. The big bombshell dropped at the end of Iron Flame sets up a pretty massive obstacle for the couple in Onyx Storm although there is still hope for Violet and Xaden.

A recovered missive from Lieutenant Colonel Nolan Colspersie to General Lilith Sorengail confirms that for the venin state, “There is no cure. There is only control.” Xaden’s venin status will be a major source of tension between Xaden and Violet in the third book, particularly around the theme of control. Firstly, Xaden must control himself and fight the urge to channel, which would speed up the turning process. Secondly, he would probably try to distance Violet to protect her – however, this would undermine her agency, a major theme throughout the series.

Xaden Will Have One Thing Going For Him In Onyx Storm That Dain Didn't In Fourth Wing

Xaden And Violet's Mutual Trust Developed A Lot In Onyx Storm

Although Xaden may fall into the trap of being overly protective of Violet, this will likely not be in the same way as Dain did. In Fourth Wing, Dain’s protectiveness constantly came across as underestimating Violet. His protectiveness was backhanded and dragged her down. Xaden was always set up as a contrast to this, actually helping Violet play to her strengths. Instead of implying she was a delicate flower like her namesake, he dubbed her “Violence” after witnessing her dagger-throwing abilities. His reasons for protecting her (his becoming Venin) make sense as opposed to underestimating her ability to survive Basgiath.

Dain and Violet were childhood best friends, which meant that Dain struggles to see how Violet could grow and change from the girl he knew. By contrast, Xaden sees the existing strengths and potential in her. Respecting consent regarding Fourth Wing signets is another major strength he has over Dain. When Violet asks if he had been using his inntinnsic powers to read her intentions, he replies, “No. I stopped the moment you were more to me than the General’s daughter, the moment I realized the harm Dain had done…” whereas Dain had been touching Violet’s face to read her memories without her knowing. Hopefully, he continues on that path in Onyx Storm.