Onyx Storm Chapters 40–43 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 40–43

Chapter 40

Violet and her companions burn Trager and Silaraine. There are hundreds of small islands to search nearby, so Violet splits them into groups based on their dragons’ and gryphons’ abilities. She pairs Xaden and Garrick together and admits to Xaden, privately, that she did not pair herself with him because she is worried that she is a trigger; Xaden has channeled in the past when she was in danger, and she does not want to make him slip. Xaden adamantly denies that she triggers anything in him and says being with her is the only time that he feels like himself. Violet and Ridoc stay behind while the fire burns, and come upon a shimmering sky-blue dragon. Violet sees six dragons of varying scale tones on the beach, and she realizes she has found the irids. Just then, one of the dragons says hello to her even though they aren’t bonded.

Chapter 41

The irids want to speak to Andarna, who is able to prove she is one of them by changing from black to green to blue. The irids ask Andarna to tell her story, and Andarna recounts the events from Fourth Wing up until now, leaving out the fact that Xaden is venin. They learn that irids are all feathertails because they do not believe in violence, and that they do not bond with humans. The irids explain that they left Andarna as a test to see if humanity had evolved, but that the test failed. When Violet goes to defend Andarna, the irids claim Violet is the one who failed the test, not Andarna, because Violet turned Andarna into an instrument of war. Andarna is hurt and defends Violet; Violet loves her, she says, but the irids insist that Violet is using Andarna for her power and that Andarna has given Violet the most dangerous gift of all.

Chapter 42

The irids feel that humanity seeks victory, not peace. Andarna fights back, arguing that peace requires the Aretian wardstone, which can only be fired with the help of the irids—she already lit Basgiath’s wards and therefore cannot light another. The irids are not interested, despite the threat of venin; they suggest humanity might learn to evolve after venin destroy everything. Xaden and Garrick return and Andarna asks the irids about a cure for venin, but the irids reply that there is no cure for dark wielders—venin magic slowly kills the soul until there is nothing left. Andarna is outraged, claiming the irids preach peace while only knowing its privileges. One irid, called Leothan, expresses a hesitant interest in Andarna’s words, but every other irid is unimpressed. One of the irids brands Xaden an “abomination,” and his eyes briefly flash red before the irids leave. Andarna is deeply hurt by the experience and storms off into the jungle with Tairn in pursuit. Ridoc informs Violet and Xaden that he saw Xaden’s eyes flash, and demands that Violet tell him what is going on.

Chapter 43

Ridoc is hurt that Violet has been keeping secrets again, and he and Violet walk away from the group so that she can explain everything in private. She tells him Xaden has barely channeled and has not progressed much. She also explains that he only turned in the first place to give Violet more time so she could save them all by healing Basgiath’s wardstone. She apologizes for keeping secrets. Ridoc, still not fully convinced, begs Violet to tell him what line Xaden would have to cross for her to know that he is beyond saving—he’ll only be able to trust her judgment if she confirms there is indeed a line. Violet says she’ll know he’s not himself anymore if he ever tries to hurt her. Ridoc is satisfied and requests that Violet tell Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Jesinia once they return to Basgiath so they will all be on the same page. Xaden, who has tracked them down, agrees, because he knows people will try to kill Violet if they discover Xaden is venin, as it would be the easiest way to kill him. He wants Violet to be surrounded by people who will protect her if it ever comes to that.

They all fly back to Basgiath, where Aetos says he intends to punish them for not returning after each isle like they discussed. Violet receives a letter from Theophanie who says she saw them flying over Pavis; Violet is concerned, because Theophanie should not be able to get past the wards to deliver it. They learn that the city of Suniva fell to dark wielders and that Queen Maraya was killed in the process. Tecarus is the new Poromish king.

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