Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Onyx Storm is full of reveals, covering everything from Andarna's breed of dragon to Violet's father, and Violet's new signet is one of the biggest.
Violet discovers her second signet by accident, and like her lightning-wielding power, she's already been using it — she just doesn't realize it. In Onyx Storm Chapter 50, Violet wakes from yet another nightmare where she's tormented by the venin Sage. She finally tells Xaden about the recurring dream, forcing them to contend with the fact that they're both having the same nightmare. This leads to the revelation that this isn't Violet's nightmare at all; she's only been present because of her second signet from Andarna.
Onyx Storm Reveals Violet's Second Signet Is Dream Walking
Her Venin Nightmares Are Actually Xaden's
After telling Xaden about her nightmares at the Iron Flame's ending reveals that Xaden is also having nighttime encounters with the venin Sage, but the book doesn't explain how they connect to Violet's. Some readers pieced together that Xaden was the one dreaming, and it turns out they were right. Violet's nightmares aren't actually hers; she's entering Xaden's instead, seeing and hearing his conversation with the Sage. This explains why the nightmares reenact Xaden turning, something Violet wasn't present for.
Although Violet has primarily practiced on Xaden, it seems her signet makes her capable of entering anyone's dreams.
At Xaden's prompting, Violet realizes she's entered another character's dream too, ruling out any explanation that stems from their unique bond. Earlier in Onyx Storm, she witnesses the destruction of Maren's family home while sleeping. She confirms that this is one of Maren's nightmares, cementing that she can jump into other people's heads while they're sleeping. Although Violet has primarily practiced on Xaden, it seems her signet makes her capable of entering anyone's dreams. And her power is likely to extend far beyond that in future Empyrean Series books.
Why Violet Manifests Dream Walking From Andarna
Her Concerns About Andarna's Dreamless Sleep Contribute To It
Iron Flame reveals that signets represent what a rider needs most, which is why Xaden can sense other people's intentions with his Inntinnsic ability. Upon further inspection of her dream-walking power, Violet realizes why she manifested this ability from her young dragon. Andarna spends most of Iron Flame in the Dreamless Sleep, which is the rest juvenile dragons enter in order to grow. Andarna spends an unusually long time asleep in Iron Flame, causing Violet to worry about and miss her. While she's in the Dreamless Sleep, they don't communicate through their bond.
Every Major Fourth Wing Character's Signet & What It Does
Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing magic system is incredibly unique, and the powerful signets riders developed throughout the series are equally so.
Violet's need to know what was happening during Andarna's Dreamless Sleep transformed into an ability to glimpse humans' dreams instead. As Xaden notes during their conversation, her intention likely transferred onto him — someone she's incredibly close to and already shares a deep mental connection with:
"My signet doesn't work on dragons, and I'm guessing yours doesn't either, so you unknowingly developed it on a human."
How Violet's Dream Walking Signet Works
Violet Is Capable Of Meddling With Dreams
With Violet only learning about her second signet in Onyx Storm, there are still many questions about how it can be used. Violet's shock at discovering this power suggests it's incredibly rare — perhaps even unheard of. That means Violet will need to learn about dream walking on her own, opening the door for endless possibilities. From what we know so far, Violet can use her second signet while she's sleeping, allowing her to enter others' dreams. It's not clear if she can use it while she's awake, but that would certainly make things more interesting.
11 Times Xaden Secretly Used His Second Signet In Fourth Wing and Iron Flame
After discovering Xaden's second signet at the end of Iron Flame, it becomes obvious that Yarros left clues to this reveal throughout the series.
As Xaden notes, Violet uses her power on people who are unconscious, so it's impossible to block her out. While mental shields are used often in The Empyrean Series, they can't be controlled when a person is unconscious. This makes Violet's new ability one of the most powerful signets in Fourth Wing — and one of the most dangerous.
She could communicate through them, and it's possible she can change reality while inside of them.
It also appears that Violet can "meddle" with people's dreams, even if we don't know the extent of what she can accomplish. Xaden notes that he wanted to channel during his nightmare, but because of Violet, he began raising his hand instead. Violet also acknowledges that she's in one of Xaden's dreams later on, separating her from him, and allowing her to communicate with Xaden and the Sage. This suggests Violet's power goes beyond simply witnessing people's dreams. She could communicate through them, and it's possible she can change reality while inside of them.
Why Dream Walking Is Such A Dangerous Power For Violet To Have
This Signet Makes Violet A Type Of Inntinnsic
When Andarna meets the other Irids in Onyx Storm, they tell her that she's given Violet something "dangerous" — and dream walking definitely fits this description. For one, Violet's second signet puts her in danger. As Xaden points out in Onyx Storm, this makes Violet a type of Inntinnsic, just like him. In the world of Fourth Wing, Inntinnsics are killed on the spot because of their abilities. They're deemed too dangerous to live, and the only Inntinnsics that do survive are forced to keep their power a secret.
If she learns how to wield her power properly, Violet could use dream walking to spy on enemies, dredge up people's worst fears, and potentially even hurt others.
Needless to say, Violet will need to keep her dream walking to herself in the next Empyrean Series book or risk being targeted by the higher-ups in Navarre. And Violet's signet doesn't just threaten her safety. If she learns how to wield her power properly, Violet could use dream walking to spy on enemies, dredge up people's worst fears, and potentially even hurt others. There's no telling Violet's actions in dreams can affect reality, but Yarros could certainly make her capable of altering the real world through her signet.
What Violet's Second Signet Means For The Next Empyrean Series Book
There are a lot of directions the next Empyrean Series book can take with Violet's new signet, which is sure to be important in future installments. With Xaden leaving at the end of the sequel, it seems inevitable that the two will be able to communicate through dreams in Onyx Storm's follow-up. Their mental bond doesn't work at long distances, but it won't need to if she can reach him through dreams. Violet can use this to speak with other people as well, though doing so would risk her secret.
Rebecca Yarros confirmed in the comments of an Instagram post that she hasn't started the next Empyrean Series book, so it could be a while before Onyx Storm's sequel debuts.
Violet may also be able to alter people's dreams in the next Empyrean Series book. Even if this doesn't impact reality — and it could — she might be able to use this ability to disarm her opponents. After all, learning about people's nightmares and using their sleep against them is an effective tactic in times of war. It could make Violet an invaluable asset, even more so than her lightning signet. Only time will tell where Yarros takes this ability after Onyx Storm, but it's great to finally know what it is.
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- Entangled: Red Tower Books
- Publication Date
- 2025/01/01
- Franchise
- The Empyrean Series
- ISBN#
- 1649374186
- Author(s)
- Rebecca Yarros
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.
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