There were many shocking reveals inOnyx Storm,the latest installment of Rebecca Yarros’Empyreanseries. There were also glaring hints atwhat could happen in the next book after readingOnyx Storm.One major theory is that Violet could be pregnant. Hints at this include physical symptoms, along with the importance of Xaden having an heir.
The uncertainty around the theory is that Rebecca Yarros is very skilled at planting red herrings in her books. One example of this was the many theories aboutViolet’s second signet, with the final reveal being quite a surprise. During the long two-year wait for the next book while Yarros takes a well-earned break, readers are likely to be digging deep for hidden Easter eggs.
When Violet Could Have Become Pregnant In Onyx Storm
Violet And Xaden Could Have Conceived While Traveling
Violet may have conceived while her, Xaden, and the quest squad were exploring the isles. There are so many unknowns about the fertility suppressant, which Violet and Xaden both confirmed they were taking in one ofFourth Wing’s forgotten details.If the tincture contains magic, it might not work on the isles. Violet and Xaden make the most of there being no magic on the isles and have sex, knowing that, at that point, Xaden is not experiencing the urge to drain.
While this meansViolet and Xaden can safely have sex on the isles, it also raises the possibility that the fertility suppressant would not work. Another possibility is that they do not have reliable access to the fertility suppressant on the isles. It has not been confirmed yet how the tincture works and how long for, plus Violet does not discuss her menstrual cycle anywhere in the book, so much of the room for speculation in this area is what is not in the text.
Violet’s Pregnancy Symptoms In Onyx Storm Explained
Violet Has Symptoms That One Of Her Own Dragons Deems Noteworthy
Further fuel for the pregnancy theory fire is that Violet is experiencing what could be pregnancy symptoms throughoutOnyx Storm.In her narration, Violet notes,“I’m going to be sick”several times. While a turn of phrase, it would not be the first time Yarros has applied a dual meaning. Indeed, Violet experiences nausea several times in the novel. Tairn and Xaden both check in on her dizziness symptoms.
Furthermore, when nearly blacking out in Aretia,Onyx Storm’s Andarnainnocently asks,“Why are you ill?”Put together, these symptoms, along with other strange minor details like a bitter-tasting lavender lemonade, could point to a potential pregnancy. While Tairn and Xaden’s check-ins could be simple conscientiousness about her health,Andarna’s bewilderment about her symptoms stands out as unusual. Having been bonded to Violet for a year, Andarna would be well aware of what symptoms relate to burnout and Violet’s Ehlers-Danlos.
Xaden Needing An Heir Is Emphasized In Onyx Storm
There Could Be A Riorson-Sorrengail On The Throne
As Duke of Tyrrendor, Xaden is the heir to Aretia. A key conversation in chapter 13 highlights the need for an heir. Sawyer says:
“Legacies usually make for stronger riders, and with as much power as you two wield? Melgren will probably escort you both to a temple of your choosing the second you’re commissioned.”
Later in that conversation, Violet says she is more focused on living until graduation. However, much like Violet and Xaden’s conversation about marriage in Deverelli, there may never be a logical“right time”to have a baby, since they are always in danger anyway.
Violet’s leadership as Duchess of Tyrrendor is bound to be drought with danger…
At the end ofOnyx Storm,a newly-asim Xaden and Violet get married, shown by a ring on Violet’s finger and a note saying,“It’s yours now,”referring to the throne.Violet’s leadership as Duchess of Tyrrendor is bound to be drought with danger, as people know they can kill Xaden by killing Violet.Being pregnant with an heir would bring stability and safety to her reign.
The Irids Make A Comment About Offspring In Onyx Storm
The Irids Think Only Evolved Offspring Could Be Salvation For The Venin
Andarna and Violet’s conversation with Andarna’s family, the irids, reveals much about their attitude to venin and humans alike. Thetaller male irid makes key comments about what it will take for the venin to change, musing that“perhaps their offspring can evolve”. This seems to confirm, importantly, that the venin can have offspring, one of severalvenin reveals inOnyx Storm. This leads to speculation around whether Xaden and Violet could have a hybrid baby.
On the other hand, the irid is talking in hypotheticals in the context of the conversation. He seems to think that only when the venin have completely drained the earth and are starving will they face themselves and make a change. The apocalyptic hypothetical posed suggests that the venin would have to make a change within themselves and redeem themselves through their offspring. Future generations of venin may have their characteristics without the overwhelming urge to drain.
Onyx Storm’s Twilight Parallels Support Violet Being Pregnant
The Venin Initiate Dynamic Of The Early Chapters Is Familiar
While some readers may groan at a potential pregnancy trope, it would not be too out of character for the series. This is because the dynamic in at least the first half ofOnyx Stormdraws parallels to Stephenie Meyer’sTwilightseries, with the venin initiate state echoing Edward Cullen’s vampirism. Like Edward,Xaden must overcome his temptation to drainthe life out of the only person he has ever loved.
Onyx Storm Dashed Our Xaden Hopes (But There Is Another Option)
Xaden’s situation in Onyx Storm seems quite dire in terms of reversing his Venin transformation, but the book offers a different glimmer of hope.
A potential venin-human hybrid could have parallels to the vampire-human hybrid baby inBreaking Dawn.InBreaking Dawn,vampire offspring are extremely rare, but not unheard of. This brings a new tension to the narrative with the fetus endangering Bella’s life. A similar tension could be explored in either book 4 or 5 of theEmpyreanseries, with nobody knowing how to deal with a venin-human pregnancy, bringing an element of terrifying unpredictability as well as another type of redemptive love.
The Problem With The Violet Is Pregnant Theory
While There Is Plenty Of Evidence, It Has Holes
One argument against the pregnancy trope theory is that it is simply too early in the story for Violet to get pregnant. This is not necessarily about her age; although 22 is young, it has already been confirmed that riders marry and have children early because their life expectancy is shorter. It is more that the battle with the venin is at its height. Violet is the most powerful wielder in a generation. Becoming pregnant would be a huge spanner in the works, especially the unknown health ramifications of a hybrid baby.
Another problem with the theory is that the fertility suppressant is arguably more likely to be made from herbs without magic for it to be an accessible medicine for all. This means it likely to still works on the isles. Even with a supply issue, Violet, along with Brennan and Asher, is a skilled herbalist able to improvise with what local plants she has around her, as shown on Hedotis. In addition, what is cited as Violet’s pregnancy symptoms arejust as likely to be symptoms of her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, pure exhaustion from traveling, and over-training.
What Violet Being Pregnant Would Mean For The Next Fourth Wing Book
An Already Stressed Violet Would Have Even More To Grapple With
Being pregnant would have a huge impact on Violet in book 4. Firstly, Xaden is likely to be away for a long time. This would leave Violet to go through her pregnancy without him. Secondly, she would carry an heir of Tyrrendor, butshe would have to deal with all the physical and emotional impacts of pregnancywhile trying to cure Xaden and defeat the venin, which has already taken its toll on her inOnyx Storm.At this point in the story, it would be a wild twist, but might inhibit the pacing of the series.
Yarros has previously planted seeds (no pun intended) very deliberately…
This is not to say that Xaden and Violet will never conceive. Yarros has previously planted seeds (no pun intended) very deliberately, with those hints coming to pass. Marriage was discussed and Xaden and Violet ultimately did get married, although readers wererobbed of seeing theOnyx Stormweddingactually take place. With so much talk of an heir, it seems likely that there will be one, but perhaps toward the end of book 4 or even in book 5. With so much else to unravel, not to mention Xaden andViolet’s devastating parental traumas, a pregnancy is premature.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
