Onyx Storm Chapters 44–49 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 44–49

Chapter 44

Despite Aetos’s wishes, Violet and the other members of the quest squad aren’t punished—King Tauri has forbidden it, too pleased to have his youngest son back to see him punished. Xaden has been keeping his distance ever since they returned, and Violet guesses it’s because of the irids’ “abomination” comment. At Battle Brief, Violet learns the venin have advanced considerably in their absence, and the class debates where they should place the 40,000 troops from Zehyllna. Professor Devera informs the class that Suniva fell because venin dropped from the sky after being concealed in a thundercloud. They set the city on fire and stole their supply of alloy-hilted daggers, which had arrived only a few hours before the attack. It is believed that there is a venin sympathizer in their ranks, one who told the venin when to strike and where the daggers were being kept. Violet realizes it must have been Theophanie controlling the thundercloud, and she laments the fact that Theophanie is a far more powerful lightning wielder than her.

Later, Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer go to meet Jesinia in the Archives so Violet can tell them all about Xaden. On the way, they discuss whether there is a way for Sawyer to still ride without his leg. He confesses to Violet that he thinks he could use a special prosthetic to do so, but he is not sure if it will work. He also does not know if his dragon will make exceptions for him like Tairn does for Violet. Violet keeps her end of her bargain with Ridoc and informs her friends that Xaden is turning venin.

Chapter 45

Violet wakes from a nightmare about the venin Sage, who tells Violet to join them before stabbing her in the chest with the Sword of Tyrrendor. Later, Violet and her fellow cadets practice “battle mount” maneuvers—that is, dismounting in a running landing, wielding, and then taking to the sky as quickly as possible. Violet and Tairn have to use unconventional methods due to Violet’s frail joints, but they are successful. After class, Violet gives Xaden an onyx wrist cuff with a piece of the roof of Riorson House attached to it for his birthday. She tells him to imagine the two of them sitting there together when the war is over whenever things get bad. The two of them embrace, but are soon interrupted by Felix, a member of the Aretian Assembly, who tells Xaden two wyverns came through the failing Artia wards. He says he has come to resume Violet’s signet training lessons.

Chapter 46

Andarna continues to avoid everyone, still hurt from her meeting with the irids. Xaden wants to open his borders to any Poromish citizens willing to climb the Medaro Pass on the border of Tyrrendor and Poromiel. Halden threatens to bring his troops to Tyrrendor if Xaden does so, but Xaden prevails.

Lynx, a first-year from Violet’s wing, starts to manifest his signet and everyone is stunned to see that he is a shadow wielder—just like Xaden. Violet is particularly shocked and unnerved, as Xaden is their generation’s only shadow wielder. Xaden says he isn’t anymore; “magic knows,” and has created a shadow wielding rider to balance a shadow wielding venin. Xaden resigns from his teaching position under the guise that Tyrrendor needs him, but Violet suspects he is also pulling away from her. Violet and Xaden fight, partly out loud and partly through their bond, with Violet demanding that Xaden not give up and Xaden maintaining there is no hope for him. Lewellen sees their argument, although he does not understand all of it—he cannot hear what they say via the bond and does not know that Xaden is venin. Nonetheless, he tells Violet she and Xaden need to find a balance between their relationship and the roles that they will both have to play in the upcoming war.

Chapter 47

Violet and Sawyer meet on the flight field early in the morning, and she supports him while he manages to mount his dragon with the help of a special prosthetic leg he fashioned himself. Violet and her squad arrive in Aretia for their two-week rune intensive, and Violet is disappointed to learn that Xaden is not there. Brennan finds Violet and tells her he has been struggling to mend Xaden, per his request, but that he has not made any progress, confirming that Brennen knows Xaden is venin. Violet is happy, however, regardless of the direness of Brennan’s news; if he’s asking for Brennan’s help, it means Xaden has not fully given up.

Chapter 48

Xaden arrives while Violet is working on homework. He kisses her and tells her he has been controlling the urge to channel. He wanted to wait until day 76 (which is twice the length of time that Jack Barlowe went without channeling) before being intimate with Violet, but he’s caved three days early because he wants to spend whatever time they have left together. Xaden lays out the ground rules if they are to have sex: Violet cannot touch him because it makes him lose control, she cannot hold her conduit because he wants her at full power, and she must keep the venin-killing daggers nearby as a safety precaution. Violet passionately agrees, saying she trusts Xaden and that she sees all of him—the good and the bad. She gives him a final out, saying they can wait until day 76 if it will make him feel better, but Xaden says he is done waiting.