Rebecca Yarros fans 'work out' major character twist in Fourth Wing book four
Fans of The Empyrean series have been left with plenty of theories following the ending of Onyx Storm, with some suggesting that a popular character could be a secret villain
Devotees of the Fourth Wing saga are on edge for the next chapter of The Empyrean series, but it seems they might be in for a bit of a wait, as author Rebecca Yarros has let slip that she's yet to put pen to paper for the upcoming book.
Despite the potential stretch ahead, eager fans have been busy spinning theories about the future twists and turns of the narrative, with whispers that a fan-favourite might just reveal their true colours as a villain. Heads up, there are spoilers ahead for the ending of Onyx Storm!
The speculation isn't without merit, especially since Onyx Storm wrapped up with Xaden turning venin and abandoning Violet in Aretia, where she's unexpectedly become the Duchess, despite having no memory of marrying Xaden in the hours following the battle of Draithus.
But the plot thickens beyond Xaden becoming fully venin – readers are abuzz with the possibility that his cousin Bodhi and best friend Garrick might have also embraced their darker sides. Yet, some fans reckon another character might have been a secret villain all along.
Casting a suspicious eye towards Violet's friend and squad member Ridoc, the Inner Circle podcast duo, Georgie and Adalia, have floated the idea that the series' comic relief character may be masking a sinister truth, reports the Mirror US.
In a social media musing, the pair reflected: "Still thinking about what Jack Barlowe said: Ask me when I turned. Ask why only initiates bleed.'
"And then it was never followed up on... but when Violet was sure Ridoc was stabbed and jumped to compress the wound, Ridoc didn't bleed and said it was only his jacket. Despite Violet seeing it lodged in his side..
"What if Ridoc is venin and is just high enough rank that Xaden can't detect him??"
The fan theory sparked a flurry of responses, with one person pointing out: "I had SO MANY THEORIES about this scene until someone told me to go back and read it. It never stabbed him, it specifically says that it missed him and went into the counter.
"Ridoc was giving me suspicious vibes the whole book. I'm convinced something is up with him," another reader insisted.
However, not everyone was on board with the speculation, as one commenter argued: "With how mad he was at Violet and Xaden for keeping it secret I don't think this is the case. He was far too bad and if he was higher ranked than Xaden he would have known about Xaden sooner."
"Just because the lower ranks can't detect the higher ranks, doesn't mean the higher ranks can't sense the lower. Riddoc would have known and not been surprised/angry about Xaden."
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