WTF?! Why Violet Had Imogen Do That In Onyx Storm & What It Means For The Next Fourth Wing Book

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.

Onyx Stormputs one of The Empyrean Series' most powerful signets to good use, but the book's ending may leave readers wondering why Imogen would wipe Violet's memories. Imogen and Violet have an interesting relationship in The Empyrean Series, going from enemies to friends over the course of its first three books. Despite the initial tensions between them, Violet comes to trust Imogen and the other marked ones after fighting alongside them at the end of Fourth Wing. Onyx Storm reverses her relationship with the marked ones in the best way, but things could get tense between her and Imogen again.

Violet learns that her memory has been wiped at the end of Onyx Storm— and that Imogen is responsible. Violet returns to Aretia after the book's ending battle, but she has no recollection of the last 12 hours. When she arrives at House Riorson, her brother informs her that she's missed quite a bit. The place is in chaos, as dragon eggs have been stolen, riders and dragons have been killed, and Xaden has disappeared. Violet also realizes she's wearing a wedding ring, indicating that she's legally married to Xaden. Thanks to Imogen, she can't remember any of this happening.

Violet's Memory Loss & What Imogen Has To Do With It Explained

Imogen Used Her Signet On Violet At The End Of Onyx Storm

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros book cover purple background

Violet's fuzzy memory initially seems confusing, but Onyx Storm's final lines clarify why she can't remember marrying Xaden. Violet asks Imogen what she's done, and Imogen tells her, "What you asked me to." This confirms that Imogen used her signet on Violet. Previous Empyrean Series books reveal that Imogen's signet gives her the ability to erase a person's short-term memories. Readers get glimpses of that power before Onyx Storm, like when Violet and her friends steal Warrick's and Lyra's journals from the Scribe Quadrant.

However, Onyx Storm is the first time readers experience the effects of Imogen's signet from the perspective of someone whose memories have been taken. Thanks to Violet's final POV chapter in the third Empyrean book, we have a much clearer idea of what Imogen's power looks like. The book confirmed the popular Fourth Wing theory that Imogen's signet would prove important to the overall plot. But while we know that Imogen wiped Violet's memories, she doesn't offer a clear reason for doing so.

Why Violet Has Imogen Erase Her Memories At The End Of Onyx Storm

It's Safer For Everyone, Especially With Xaden Being Suspected Of Criminal Acts

Violet and Imogen don't talk much at the end of Onyx Storm, but there are a few possible reasons Imogen erased her friend's memories. The most obvious explanation is that Violet can't know where Xaden is going or what his plans are. While they likely involve her taking the reins in Aretia — hence their legal marriage — knowing anything else could be dangerous. It's not that Xaden doesn't trust her. However, Xaden is accused of several huge crimes as the third Empyrean Series book comes to a close.

It's safer if Violet doesn't know what Xaden is up to.

If Violet let anything slip about his involvement or him turning venin, she could incriminate herself in the process. People are likely to be suspicious of her, and they could attempt to torture or force information out of her in the next installment. Even with Violet's ability to shield her mind, it's a huge risk to take. And it probably isn't something that Violet and Xaden are willing to leave to chance. The fate of Tyrrendor rests on Violet remaining free — and probably the fate of the entire Continent. It's safer if Violet doesn't know what Xaden is up to.

Of course, Xaden marrying Violet and then leaving is likely to weigh on Fourth Wing's heroine. There's a reason that Xaden's note instructs Violet not to look for him; he knows she'll try, as she refuses to give up on him. Given how painful their separation is bound to be for Violet, it's just as likely she wanted Imogen to erase her memories at the end of Onyx Storm. Even if safety is the biggest factor, there might be a part of Violet that finds some comfort in forgetting. It could make it slightly easier for her to move forward.

The real question is whether Violet actually asked for Imogen to use her signet on her — or if Imogen did it to protect Xaden. Violet enlists Imogen's help to keep Xaden's transformation a secret at the beginning of Onyx Storm, and they both operate with the goal of keeping him safe. It's possible that Imogen feels she's doing what Violet wanted because she's keeping Xaden's secrets. However, given how open Xaden is with Violet throughout Onyx Storm, it seems more likely that Violet directly requested this.

How Imogen's Signet Works In The Empyrean Series & Can Violet Get Her Memories Back

It's Not Clear If Imogen Can Return Memories Taken With Her Signet

Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm book covers

Imogen's signet in The Empyrean Series is fairly straightforward: she removes a person's memories, as long as they're relatively recent. Rebecca Yarros tells us that Imogen's signet is classified, and that's why readers don't see it used all that often. Therefore, there's a lot that's unknown about it. It's not clear if Imogen can return the memories she took with her signet, so it's doubtful that Violet will recall what took place after Onyx Storm's battle. But the fact that Imogen's power is shrouded in mystery leaves raises the possibility.

While Violet could learn what happens at the end of Onyx Storm from other characters, it would be somewhat disappointing if Yarros never shared her wedding to Xaden with readers. We could get to see flashbacks from Xaden's POV instead of Violet's, but it would still be surprising if Violet never regains her recollection of it. Only time will tell if Yarros makes that happen — and how. But even if Imogen is capable of returning Violet's memories, her actions at the end of Onyx Storm seem certain to cause friction between them going forward.

How Violet's Memory Loss Sets Up The Next Fourth Wing Book

Things Could Be Tense Between Her & Imogen

The covers of Fourth Wing, Onyx Storm, Iron Flame, and a book with a fiery 4 on it

The next Empyrean Series book must reveal more about Imogen's motives at the end of Onyx Storm, but Violet's memory erasure already sets up interesting possibilities for the sequel. For one, Violet will probably be suspicious of Imogen, since she doesn't understand why she wiped her mind. This could make things tense between the two characters. And even if Violet trusts Imogen's claim that she asked for this, she's likely to push Imogen for answers. This will put them at odds, even if they want the same things.

There is no release timeline for the next Empyrean Series book, but Rebecca Yarros has confirmed she's taking a break before writing it.

It's also unclear how much Imogen knows about Violet's and Xaden's plans heading into Onyx Storm's sequel. They might have asked her to erase Violet's memories without her knowing the reason. But if Imogen does have knowledge of Xaden's intentions, she could be in danger in the next Empyrean Series sequel. If someone realizes she wiped Violet's memories in Onyx Storm, that could also put her at risk. Needless to say, the next Fourth Wing sequel is going to have high stakes, especially when it comes to the characters' biggest secrets.