Why Was Violet Dedicated In Onyx Storm & What Does It Mean For The Next Fourth Wing Book?

Violet's uniquely half-brown, half-silver hair has long been questioned by fans of Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean Series, and the author had remained rather tight-lipped about the mystery behind her distinct hair color for much of the series. However, Onyx Storm finally addresses this peculiar character trait throughout the narrative, and finally confirms that Violet's hair is partially silver due to being dedicated to Dunne as a child. Dunne, one of the six gods in Fourth Wing's pantheon, is known as the goddess of war, and aside from Malek, is one of the most mentioned gods in the Empyrean Series novels.

Rebecca Yarros has long teased and danced around the subject of Violet's hair, but Onyx Storm's narrative works well to neatly map out and lead up to the big reveal. When Violet visits the isle kingdom of Unnbriel, she begins to notice similarities between herself and the temple attendants, all of whom have silver hair—and it seems like an odd coincidence until Violet sees a young girl with the same hair type as hers. However, it isn't until Mira reveals all she has learned from their grandmother, Niara, that Yarros confirms Violet's parents had begun her dedication to Dunne.

Everything The Empyrean Series Has Told Us About Dedication & How It Works

Depending On The God Or Goddess, Dedication Could Require A Lifetime Of Service

Onyx Storm book cover on smokey background

The gods in the Empyrean Series, and their many temples throughout the continent, have long been alluded to, but the idea of dedication isn't really discussed in great detail until Onyx Storm. According to a comment made by Brennan in Chapter 54, parents used to dedicate their infants to the service of a particular deity if they thought the touch of a god would help that child. This dedication would require the service of an individual for a set number of years, or in the case of Dunne or Loial, the one dedicated would be bound to a lifetime of service.

"Guardians are no longer permitted to dedicate children in service to their favored deity. The decision to serve the gods for life must be made after the age of majority and of one's free will."
—Public Notice 200.417, Transcribed by Rachel Lightstone

However, child dedication has apparently been illegal in Navarre since the two hundreds, stating that one must choose to accept this path for themselves. But it seems that dedication throughout the Empyrean Series did not always rely on consent from the child. Mira later explains that the priestesses who began Violet's dedication chose not to continue at that time, stating they could only accept children whose futures are certain. It's also made apparent that those who have been touched by Dunne, like Violet, often yearn to return to temple, as the partial dedication creates a longing that's hard to ignore.

Why Did Asher Sorrengail Dedicate Violet To Dunne?

As Of Now, It Seems He Did So To Save Her Life

The revelation that Asher took Violet to Unnbriel to be dedicated to Dunne comes as a huge surprise in the third Empyrean Series novel, and from the series' chapter epigraphs, there are a few clues that could be as to why he did. But at face value, Violet comes to the conclusion that her father chose to dedicate her in order to "fix her" or save her life. Violet was born a very sick child, and still deals with several health conditions, and it's likely her father believed she needed some form of divine intervention to cure her.

It doesn't seem like Asher's actions are at all coincidental, and it's plausible Yarros has not yet revealed his true intentions behind Violet's dedication.

However, it's possible Asher Sorrengail had other reasons for doing so. There's a lot Violet's father left behind in his research for her to discover, and it's highly likely her dedication comes into play as well. Asher had trained Violet to become a scribe, supplying her with vast amounts of knowledge that had prepared her to fight the venin, and had even sent her on a mission to Deverelli to recover his life's work. It doesn't seem like Asher's actions are at all coincidental, and it's plausible Yarros has not yet revealed his true intentions behind Violet's dedication.

Why Violet Sorrengail's Dedication To Dunne Wasn't Completed

The Temple Priestesses Said Violet's Path Was Uncertain

When Mira is explaining all she learned from their grandmother in regard to Violet's dedication, it is made apparent that while Asher started the process of dedication, the priestesses refused to complete it at that time. The priestesses only accept children whose futures are certain, and, evidently from whatever they saw in Violet's future, she would have several paths to choose from. Mira later goes on to explain that they stated if Violet were to choose her path poorly, she could still earn their mentorship, but this path came with the risk of becoming venin.

"She said the heart that beat for you—or within you—would do the wrong thing for the right reason, read for unspeakable power, and turn dark."
—Mira Sorrengail, Onyx Storm, Chapter 54

While it's still unknown as to how the priestesses of Dunne, the goddess of war, had any insight into Violet's future or the decisions that could alter the course of her life, it's clear they knew either she or "the heart that beats for her" — in this case Xaden — would turn venin. But ultimately, the choices that Violet made to lead her down this path, one that is closely tied to Xaden, were what kept the priestesses from completing the dedication. However, it seems like there's still an opportunity, now that the choices have been made, for Violet to complete the dedication in a future Empyrean Series novel.

What Violet's Partial Dedication To Dunne Could Mean For Onyx Storm's Sequel

Violet's Search For Answers Has Likely Only Begun

The cover of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with many covers lined up as the background and fire surrounding it

The revelation of Violet's partial dedication has influenced several theories to emerge online since—all of which suggest what it could mean for the future of Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean Series. And several moments throughout Onyx Storm hint that Yarros is far from done exploring this storyline. When in Unnbriel, the priestess who first indicates Violet was dedicated to Dunne, explains that she still sees Dunne's temple among Violet's potential paths—later stating that it is not too late to choose a lifetime of service to Dunne. This has sparked several theories suggesting Violet will either complete her dedication, or already has.

The Empyrean Series book covers on sparking fire background

10 Theories & Predictions For The Next Fourth Wing Book After Reading Onyx Storm

After Onyx Storm's cliffhanger ending, readers have begun to put together many convincing theories as to what will happen next in the Empyrean Series.

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At the end of Onyx Storm, Violet returns to Aretia with no memory of what happened since the battle in Draithus. However, it's clear she has been missing for several hours, and her whereabouts unaccounted for. But as the letter that states Violet's marriage to Xaden comes with a blessing from the temple of Dunne, many believe their wedding was not the only ceremony to be conducted—and that Violet's dedication has been completed. Either way, Violet's limited understanding of her dedication will likely send her to seek answers for herself, and potentially see her visit Niara in Onyx Storm's sequel.