Onyx Storm Chapters 32–35 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 32–35

Chapter 32

Violet, Xaden, and Dain will face off with three selected champions from the Isle of Dunne. The group chooses daggers as their weapon of choice so that Violet will have an advantage—Violet’s height and chronic pain issues make it harder for her to fight with larger weapons. Dain loses his match, but Violet wins hers. Xaden also wins, but only after Violet throws a dagger at his opponent's shoulder just as he was about to kill Xaden. Lightning strikes just before Violet wins, confusing everyone; the Isle of Dunne is not supposed to have magic. Violet learns that her opponent was Queen Marlis in disguise. When Violet asks her about the irids, the queen replies that there have not been dragons in Dunne for centuries. Violet then asks for Dunne to align with Navarre in the fight against venin, and Queen Marlis says that they will only be allies if Dunne receives dragons in return.

Chapter 33

Queen Marlis requests twelve dragon eggs, two of each breed. She feels that dragons are too headstrong and arrogant, and she believes that she could alter their nature and make them more malleable if she were to raise them from eggs herself. Violet is stunned to learn that her father was right, and that Dunne’s people really are interested in acquiring feathertails. Violet refuses her terms and the group leaves.

They travel to Vidirys, the capital of Hedotis, where they will have to prove their wisdom in order to meet with the triumvirate—the three elected officials who govern the country. Upon landing, Violet realizes that Cat and Trager are romantically involved. Faris, one member of the triumvirate, approaches and welcomes them to Vidirys. He then introduces them to his wife, Talia—Xaden’s mother.

Chapter 34

Talia comes to Violet and Xaden’s room and invites them to dinner. Violet, unconvinced that Xaden will attend, goes to find him outside once Talia leaves. Xaden is deeply hurt by his mother, who abandoned him on his tenth birthday, but he agrees to the dinner. He reveals that he spotted the serum and antidote in Violet’s bag. Violet is afraid that Xaden will be offended; however, Xaden merely says he’s glad that Violet will have a defense if he ever loses control.

While on the balcony, Violet and Xaden see Talia with two children, and Xaden realizes he has stepbrothers. This discovery makes him feel even worse, as if he has been replaced. He explains that being venin can cut him off from his emotions at times and that right now he would gladly exchange this pain for numbness. Violet tells Xaden he does not need to exchange his pain and can give it to her instead—she will hold “everything [he] does not want to feel because [she] loves every part of [him].” Xaden heads back to their room, and Violet thinks it’s suspicious that she overheard Talia saying her sons are being sent to visit their grandparents’ for the night. She forms a plan and tells Andarna to use her camouflaging abilities to follow the two boys when they leave. She goes to Talia and offers her a vial of dried arinmint that she finds in Brennan’s med kit, and suggests Talia serve it at dinner so that Xaden can have a taste of home.

Chapter 35

The group sits down to a tense dinner with Talia and the triumvirate, which consists of Faris, Nairi, and Roslyn. The three grill their guests about their lives and their choices, and Violet realizes this is a test. During the meal, Talia suggests that a contract marriage (like the one she had with Xaden’s father) between Xaden and Cat would create a beneficial alliance. Xaden refuses, saying he would only ever want to be with Violet. Servers bring in chocolate cake, as it is Xaden’s favorite, and one of the triumvirate members teases Talia for storing the ingredients for weeks so that she could have it made for him. Violet realizes the dessert must be poisoned; Talia had acted surprised to see Xaden when they arrived, but if she had been stockpiling ingredients, it’s clear she knew they were coming. Violet warns the group not to eat the cake but Garrick, who had already started eating, collapses.

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