S5 Ep6: S5 : Ep 6 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros - Part 2

Summary

Flights of Fantasy Podcast - Season 5, Episode 6: "Onyx Storm" by Rebecca Yarros - Part 2 Summary

Release Date: February 25, 2025

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Introduction & Patreon Shout-Outs [01:32 - 02:35]

The episode kicks off with Christina welcoming listeners to "Flights of Fantasy," a Romantasy Podcast Book Club hosted by Christina, Kim, and Anna. Kim initiates the episode by expressing excitement for part two of their discussion on Rebecca Yarros's "Onyx Storm." Anna takes the opportunity to give heartfelt shout-outs to their Patreon supporters—Lara Ortiz, Pamela Gwen Brophy, and Jodi Vallejo—highlighting the essential role they play in sustaining the podcast.

Anna [02:06]: "Hi. Thank you guys so much. You guys are the bestest ever."

Spoiler Warning & Initial Discussion [02:37 - 04:18]

Kim emphasizes the importance of spoiler warnings for listeners who may not have completed "Onyx Storm." The hosts delve into the assembly of the Quest Squad, focusing on Violet's frustrations and the team's plan to embark on an island-hopping mission.

Kim [02:37]: "Spoiler warning for the Empyrean series, all of 4th Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm."

Inspiration & Setting: Turks and Caicos [03:17 - 03:39]

Anna shares insights about the book's setting, revealing that the island-hopping segments were inspired by Turks and Caicos, a favorite spot of Rebecca Yarros's family. The hosts appreciate the vivid and beautiful depiction of the islands, likening it to the ambiance of "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Anna [03:17]: "Rebecca Yarros said that this part was kind of inspired by Turks and Caicos, which is one of her family's favorite places."

Epigraph Analysis & Lore Deep Dive [04:18 - 11:38]

The trio dissects the book's epigraph, exploring the significance of Public Notice 200.417 and its implications for guardians dedicating children to deities. Kim provides a detailed interpretation of the numbering system used in the notices, enhancing listeners' understanding of the world's timeline.

Violet's encounter with the silver-haired priestesses and a child mirroring her own hair leads to speculations about her heritage and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her dedication. The hosts discuss misconceptions about hair dye versus natural hair color, pondering the deeper lore implications.

Christina [04:18]: "Magical."

Kim [10:12]: "I still am a little curious as to why Violet, when she sees all these women with silver hair, that she's so shocked by it."

Character Dynamics & Revelations [11:38 - 16:26]

The conversation shifts to familial relationships, particularly focusing on Zaden's backstory. The hosts explore the tension between Zaden and his mother, Taryn, revealing the emotional turmoil stemming from past actions that led to Violet's dedication. Mira and Brennan's dynamic is highlighted, showcasing their electric chemistry and the emotional weight of their interactions.

Christina [12:21]: "That moment they connected was so beautiful."

Quest Squad's Battles & Alliances [16:26 - 27:05]

Anna and Kim recap the intense battles the Quest Squad faces, including unexpected alliances and strategic maneuvers. They discuss Violet's negotiation with Queen Marlis of Unbriel, her demand for dragon eggs, and the ensuing wrath from the dragons. The hosts express their anticipation for future plot developments and possible revenge arcs.

Kim [16:02]: "They want the eggs because your dragons are not malleable enough."

Isle of Hedotis & Era Dragons' Introduction [27:05 - 39:46]

The episode delves into the examination of the Isle of Hedotis, named after the God of Wisdom. The hosts analyze the stark contrast in color vibrancy and the subtle presence of magic, drawing parallels to volcanic archipelagos and regeneration themes.

A significant portion is dedicated to the introduction of the Era Dragons, highlighting their peaceful nature versus the Venin's destructive tendencies. The hosts debate the dragons' frustration with Andarna's actions and the broader implications for dragonkind's evolution.

Kim [35:06]: "Perhaps the corrupted one should devour the land in its entirety."

Christina [39:25]: "You preach peace while only having known its privilege."

Emotional Highs: Loss & Leadership [39:46 - 58:57]

The discussion touches on heartbreaking moments, including the death of Trager and the emotional breakdown of Violet as she grapples with leadership doubts. Zaden's reassuring leadership qualities are lauded, with a notable quote about natural leaders.

Anna introduces Broccoli the kitten, a new lovable character bonded with Drake, adding a light-hearted touch to the heavy themes.

Zaden [30:41]: "The best leaders are the ones who never won the job."

The hosts reflect on the severed bond between Violet and Andarna, expressing their frustration and sadness over the abrupt departure without closure. They emphasize the deep emotional connections and the lingering impact of this separation on Violet.

Violet [57:26]: "I love you and I want you to feel complete."

Dreamwalking & Future Implications [58:57 - 47:39]

Christina and Kim discuss Violet's growing dreamwalking abilities, exploring the potential and dangers of this power. They speculate on the implications for future plotlines, including communication and conflict resolution within dreams.

The hosts analyze key interactions between characters in dreams, particularly focusing on Berwyn's role and the introduction of Theophany as a potential antagonist with obsession over Violet.

Kim [47:10]: "If you can hone this skill, she'll be able to walk into anyone's dream while they sleep."

Venom Attack & Tournament Challenges [51:26 - 57:45]

The podcast covers the Venin attack at Ryerson House, detailing the chaos and strategic responses from the Quest Squad. They discuss the revelation of Distance Walkers and the emotional toll of losing loved ones, like Trager.

The trio examines character decisions during high-stress situations, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, leadership, and resilience.

Anna [55:21]: "And then turns out he is a distant relative of Andara and he invites her back with the air dragons to learn the ways of her kind."

Concluding Emotional Moments & Future Teasers [58:57 - 60:18]

In the final segments, the hosts highlight poignant moments of vulnerability and support among the Quest Squad members. They touch upon secret bond-breaking events and the deep emotional connections between characters, setting the stage for upcoming conflicts and resolutions in the series.

Anna teases the next episode, promising a deep dive into the book's climactic ending, including the intricacies of the "sneak marriage."

Kim [59:22]: "If you guys want us to talk about it, we will."

Closing Remarks

Christina reminds listeners about their Patreon chapter chats for more in-depth discussions, encouraging community engagement. Anna and Kim bid farewell, inviting listeners to follow them on social media and to leave reviews to support the podcast's growth.

Christina [60:05]: "Until next time, keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight."

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Notable Quotes:

• Anna [02:06]: "Hi. Thank you guys so much. You guys are the bestest ever."

• Zaden [30:41]: "The best leaders are the ones who never won the job."

• Violet [57:26]: "I love you and I want you to feel complete."

• Christina [39:25]: "You preach peace while only having known its privilege."

• Kim [35:06]: "Perhaps the corrupted one should devour the land in its entirety."

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Conclusion

In this episode, Anna, Kim, and Christina provide a thorough and engaging analysis of "Onyx Storm" Part 2, delving into character developments, plot intricacies, and thematic elements. Their passionate discussions and insightful interpretations offer listeners a deep understanding of the book's complex narrative, making it an invaluable resource for both avid fans and newcomers alike.

Transcript

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[Christina]

Welcome to Flights of Fantasy, your Romantasy Podcast Book club. I'm Christina, joined by my book besties Kim and Anna, and together we're diving into the characters, theories, lore and magic behind all your favorite fantasy romance books.

[Kim]

We are back listeners. We are so excited to bring you part two of Onyx Story. There are going to be three episodes. Oh man, we have so much to discuss today. So Kim, will you please give some Patreon shout outs?

[Anna]

I would love to give some Patreon shout outs. So of course, as you guys know, this is one of the benefits of our tier two book Bitches on our Patreon. You get a special shout out in one of our episodes. So in today's episode we are going to be shouting out Lara Ortiz, Pamela Gwen Brophy and Jodi Vallejo. Hi. Thank you guys so much. You guys are the bestest ever.

[Kim]

We really are.

[Christina]

We love you with our whole hearts. You absolutely, truly make this possible. And we're so thankful for you.

[Anna]

Yes. So y'all are the best.

[Kim]

Okay, so spoiler warning for the Empyrean series, all of 4th Wing Iron Flame, Onyx Storm. Remember, even though this is part two of the episode, we are going into it with the knowledge of the entire book. So if you have not finished Onyx Storm, please do and then come back.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

Get out of here. Respectfully, we love you.

[Anna]

Please leave with love. Please leave and come back. We'll be here waiting for you when you are ready. Okay, so where we left off, Quest Squad has been assembled. Violet was like, well, the first one was a disaster. I'm launching my own Quest Squad and we've got a new group, new team, and we are going to go island hopping. Everybody, it's island hopping time. I love this.

[Christina]

Magical.

[Anna]

Yes. Rebecca Yarrow said that this part was kind of inspired by Turks and Caicos, which is one of her family's favorite places. And I love that. I love this vibe of just island hopping around Turks and Caicos.

[Christina]

Turks and Caicos hopping. That mindset really gives this even more beautiful. I knew it was beautiful, but actually thinking about it, like, Turks and Caicos makes it just. I love this.

[Anna]

Stunning.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

I really love it for them.

[Anna]

I mean, honestly, what a win for Quest Squad. You know what I mean? What a win.

[Christina]

Gorgeous.

[Anna]

It reminds me of kind of like Pirates of the Caribbean.

[Factor]

Yeah.

[Anna]

Like a setting, like, supposed to be on the island. And he's like, where's the rum gone?

[Kim]

Where's all the rum gone?

[Anna]

Yeah. Which would be Riddick for sure. Being like, where has the rum gone?

[Kim]

100%. And they'd be like, riddick, you drank it.

[Anna]

You drank it all.

[Kim]

Do you not remember the little fire dance party you had around the fire pit?

[Anna]

Yeah, you were serving us rum shots, and now the rum is all gone. He's like, yeah, that checks out.

[Kim]

That checks out.

[Christina]

Okay.

[Anna]

Okay, so we are headed to Unbriel, AKA the Isle of Dune. If we remember, Dune is the goddess of strength and war and. Oh, man. We find out some things in this chapter.

[Christina]

Yes, this was reveal heavy, this chapter.

[Kim]

Yes, it really was.

[Anna]

So let's start with the epigraph at the top. Before we even get into unreal. This is the epigraph. 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 Rael Lightstone Wow. And you have a note about the number after public notice.

[Kim]

Oh. So, I mean, and probably this is obvious to other people, but I figured out that 200.417. So I think the year is 200. And then the point 417. It means that's at the 400th and 17th public notice to go up that year. So this is from the year 200. And then when we see ones that are 634, that means that's like more current day. Right. The year 634 after unification. And then whatever number public notice it is will be the after the decimal point.

[Christina]

That was super helpful when you text us that, because I was like, man, I really thought I remember Xaden's birthday being 6 11. And I was like, nope. But you must be wrong because there's a decimal system, Christina, that. That you must be wrong.

[Anna]

I had no idea what those numbers were. So I actually think this is very helpful. And then maybe other people don't know as well.

[Kim]

So there you go.

[Anna]

Good to know. So we get to Umbrel. They take them to the Temple of Dune to battle it out. Okay, we're gonna do some battles. And Violet sees the temple of D, and she notes that all the priestesses there have silver hair. Not gray hair. Silver hair. And then she sees a child, like a 10 year old child. And this child has hair just like hers.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Anna]

So obviously Violet's like, well, this child is not dyeing her hair. Like, this is her natural hair. And this is the only child Violet has ever seen with hair like hers.

[Factor]

Wild.

[Christina]

Wild. As the reader, you read that and you're like, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun.

[Kim]

Also, you're just like papa Thorn Gale. Like, what were you doing?

[Anna]

Yeah, clearly he was like.

[Kim]

He was island hopping, which, by the way, I thought it was illegal to go to the islands they made such.

[Christina]

A big deal about.

[Kim]

Like, nobody from Navarre is welcome. No one goes there. And yet he was over there, clearly island hopping, figuring out, doing all of his research. And then that epigraph.

[Christina]

I think there's still something really suspicious about his time there because we mentioned way too many times her not understanding how he had the time to be here or not understanding when he was here.

[Kim]

We.

[Christina]

She puts that in too many times of Violet saying, I still don't really understand how and when he spent so much time here for it not to be a question in our heads going forward.

[Anna]

Absolutely. Christina. I could not agree more.

[Kim]

How did he. Because he does. He's not a Dragon Rider also.

[Anna]

Oh, right.

[Kim]

He's able to get. So, as Colonel Daxton, before he was married to Lilith, I guess he was just over there doing his research. But afterwards, did he dedicate Violet or start her dedication? He must have taken her to Unbriel.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

How did he get there if Lilith wasn't aware that he dedicated her? And he can't fly on a dragon, and a dragon will not take somebody else's rider, like, or another human. That's not their writer, I should say.

[Christina]

Well, and it was after they dropped the other kids off with Grandma. They dropped the kids off with Grandma?

[Kim]

Yeah. Maybe they were just gone for a whole summer.

[Christina]

Right.

[Kim]

Stay with Grandma, guys. I'll be back in two months.

[Christina]

Exactly. And then I almost wonder if it's. I don't know, they were in the city somehow, and Lilith was like, I have important business to do. And he's like, great, me and Violet are going to go to lunch. And they just took her to the temple.

[Anna]

We're going to go find a play space. Anyways, we'll be just hanging out at the park if you need us.

[Kim]

Well, we'll find a place.

[Anna]

Yeah. Okay, so basically the setup is they are going to choose three people from the Quest Squad to battle. Three people? Well, isn't it originally, I guess, two, and then it's one.

[Kim]

And then she's like, dubs, Dane, Violet, Violet.

[Anna]

So the rules are very unclear. Okay. Like, there doesn't seem to be, like, they really know what's going on either. But the priestess of Dune comes up to Violet and looks at her and looks at her hair and basically says, like, did you choose this path that you're on? And Violet starts to say, no, basically, my mom made me be a writer. But then she thinks back to every decision that she's made since. To fight to stay in the writer's quadrant and be at the skiath and all that. And she basically ends up saying, yes, I chose this path for myself. And the priestess of Dune says this to Violet. Ah, then it is good we did not complete your dedication. But do you not yearn for Temple? Usually the touch creates such longing that you can't help but return. Or perhaps you now favor another God. I still see us among your potential paths. Should you decide to take it, Dune will accept you. It is not too late to choose her.

[Kim]

Listen, I loved this. What?

[Christina]

This was so wild to read. I feel like this was not where anyone thought this was going. At least us, like, everyone. The silver hair theories went so far and beyond into other realms.

[Kim]

I was doing alchemy yeah, we were.

[Christina]

Doing straight up alchemy over here. You know, it was truly. Everyone went vinnin, Everyone went venin. And no one was even thinking another direction.

[Anna]

No.

[Christina]

And it's really fun that it was another direction.

[Anna]

Agreed.

[Kim]

I also want to note here, Taryn, in this scene, every single time Violet brings up, wait, why are there six pillars with those books? Wait, why does she have hair like mine? Wait, why is she talking about me being dedicated? Every single time she does that, Taryn goes, focus on what's important. Stop thinking about that. Think about that later. Every single time he tries to get her off course. And I'm like, what do you know, Taryn?

[Anna]

Taryn, share with the class, damn it.

[Kim]

It's really, really weird. Or is he just being annoying? Like, focus on the task at hand. And I'm like, no, but this is important, Dar.

[Anna]

Taryn, you shut up.

[Christina]

Taryn. Not now. Not now. I really did think, though, in the moment I read that as like, let's focus on living. We're in a battle.

[Anna]

Right? Right.

[Christina]

And I see that. But, like, now, going back, she was fine. We could have focused on listening.

[Anna]

Nothing had started, really yet.

[Kim]

Nothing started yet.

[Anna]

So why could we not think about this?

[Kim]

Taryn, dragons protect dragonkind.

[Anna]

They sure do. They sure do. Anna, did you want to bring up this question about the priestesses in Nabar?

[Kim]

I just thought it was interesting in case anybody else was questioning this. I still am a little curious as to why Violet, when she sees all these women with silver hair, that she's so shocked by it because she grew up in a world where there are temples. I mean, they're in at the bar, and the Griffin flyers are at temples for hours, praying. And even though her mother is, quote, not temple minded, I guess it was hard for me to understand why she was so shocked by seeing the silver hair. The only thing I can come up with is when we get to the temple of Dune in Tirandor, later in the battle at Tirandor, they talk about dyeing their hair with lye. And I wonder if it looks gray and it's not, like, silver sparkly.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And these women look like that. So I just wanted to bring that up in case other listeners were like, wait a second. Why is she freaking out about this?

[Christina]

I agree. I think that the gray and the silver might be a distinction because she sees their hair as something different and notes it's hers. And if her hair did look like the people of the temple of Dune in regular everyday life, people would have thought that about her. All the time you're right.

[Anna]

Everyone knows her as the silver haired daughter of LilithOrngale. And I think really what shocks her is the 10 year old. I think it's. It's disconcerting to see all the priestesses, not in a bad way, but just like she notes it. But the 10 year old is where she's like, hold the fuck up. This child is not dyeing her hair. So to me that was another point in the dying hair argument.

[Kim]

And something I just thought of is this public notice in the year 200 that says we are no longer dedicating children. We have to remember this is specifically for Navarre. So that is not true enough Unbriel necessarily. So that's why those children are being touched or dedicated. And that's why her hair looks like that. That's why Violet doesn't see anyone like her. Why there's nobody like her is because her father had to take her to Unbriel to have it done. And that's why her mom is so pissed.

[Christina]

Yes, that makes sense because he went to Umbreel to do it and this was just for Navarre.

[Anna]

That's a great point, Anna. I didn't put that together, but yes, which makes it even more like he went out of his way. Like made quite the trek to do this to Violet.

[Christina]

Exactly.

[Anna]

Why? Why Papa?

[Christina]

Why?

[Kim]

Which brings us to the fight that Mira and Brennan had about it.

[Christina]

Oh, which guys, this scene was so fun to read. I love their dynamic. We need more Mira and Brennan on page together because they are just like electric on page together in the funniest way. But we did also get some really interesting info here. Some really concrete reveals. Pretty much we find out that their dad dedicated Violet against their mother's will. And it's really sad because Violet then takes this as he was trying to fix her and her. Her illness. And it's just again, like we said in previous episodes, really what this book is showing us is that we really didn't know their dad, who they thought was the stable one who believed in them and kind of like the. The parents. That was like the good cop, you know. And then they felt like now this is flipping and that their mom was actually like really steadfast, believing in them and trying to protect them. But anyways, so yes, Mira has this information from Grandmama pretty much. She says that the priestesses started the process, but they only accept children whose futures are certain, as we said. And Violet has past to ch. Which leads us to this quote from Mira. She says, the heart that beats for you would do the wrong thing for the right reason. Reach for unspeakable power and turn dark. This is what the priestess has told their dad. So then we find out that Mira's just been living life worried that Violet's just about to turn Venon.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And that's why she was so worried about the lightning. She's like, did you channel? Did you. You know.

[Anna]

Yes, yes.

[Christina]

And. But no, no, no. The heart that beats for her is Zaden.

[Anna]

Is, of course Zaden.

[Christina]

It's his heart that beats for her.

[Kim]

Brennan was like, I need you to be very clear. Did it say the heart that beats in you or the heart that beats for you? And she was like, I think it said for you. And Zayden was like, yo, that's me.

[Anna]

That'd be me.

[Kim]

My heart only beats for Violet, Duke of Angst.

[Anna]

Oh, my God. But also, can we talk about this iconic line from Mira during this scene? Oh, God. So Violet's recovering, and Brennan wants to come see Violet. And Zaden's like, you know, do you want me to, like, stab him for you or hurt him or something? And Mira's like, oh, what? And give him an excuse to fake his death for another several years? Absolutely not. Like, I was like, thank you.

[Kim]

I love her.

[Anna]

Yes, Mir. Like, this is the shit I want to see. So good together is absolute gold.

[Christina]

I just. I love their dynamic so much.

[Anna]

It's so good. I love Mira calling Brennan owl. I will forever die on the hill that everybody let him off the hook way too early for faking his own.

[Kim]

Death for a million percent.

[Anna]

Okay, so let's back it up. We're going to rewind a little bit. Back in Umbrella, they are fighting. People keep getting tagged in on this damn battle. Like, first it's just Zayden, Then Dane gets tagged in. Then Violet gets tagged in. So Dan and Zaden are fighting two guards. And Violet unknowingly is paired with Queen Marlis of Unbriel. She doesn't know this at the time. She thinks she's just, like, a female guard that she has to battle. Now, during the battle, this, like, weird coinky dink happens. This is an island with no magic, by the way. And Violet is getting worked up. Zaden, I think, is hurt. Dain is hurt. No one's doing well. She's feeling that kind of power rise up in her for what reason? She shouldn't have, because there's no magic on the island. And then, weirdly, lightning strikes you guys. But it's a total coincidence. It was just a Storm that happened to be hitting this island. Island with no magic. At the exact time that Violet is like, my friends are. And my love is dying around me and I must win.

[Christina]

It's like, such a coincidence.

[Anna]

She absolutely channels.

[Kim]

Which, if you listen to our part one episode, we think it's through Andarna.

[Anna]

Yes, we think it's through Andarna because their group chat still works and Darn is not in pain like the rest of the dragons. And Violet is obviously having these, like, tendrils of magic that nobody else has. So Violet ends up defeating Queen Marlis, finds out that it is Queen Marlas, and basically Violet is like, we want you to ally with us in the war against the Venin. And she's like, yeah, I'm only going to do that if you give me 12 dragon eggs, two of each breed. And we want the eggs because your dragons are not malleable enough. And you guys haven't been, like, crushing them and making them do what you want them to do. So we want the eggs.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

The stupidest thing you could possibly say. Truly, my God.

[Anna]

This enrages quite literally all the Quest Squad, all of the dragons. Taryn is like, let me kill her, please. Like, Segal's lo her mind. So she asked for the eggs. Violet obviously denies her because, as we know, dragon eggs and dragon babies in general are sacred. And she's like, yeah, I absolutely would never do that. But pin that for later, friends. Pin it for later.

[Kim]

Pin it for the ending.

[Anna]

Okay, Anna, take us to the Isle of Hedotis.

[Kim]

Hedotis. Okay, so we go to the Isle of Hydotus, which is named after the God of wisdom. It's really interesting because the further we move away from Navarre, everything becomes paler and paler. The island lacks color. Hedotis. Violet notices the same vegetation that they have in Navarre, but it's practically stripped of all its color. In Papa Sorrengel's epigraph that we have leading up to Hedonis, he says that it takes about four times the amount of dye to color the clothing, because the dye is so weak in color. Right. It would take, like, four times the amount of indigo to make a blue garment. And he wonders which is the natural way of things. Is it the lack of color here, or is it the amount of vibrancy and colors that they have in Navarre? Okay. So I want to note this also that Papa Sorrengel says before we going into discussing all this, he says it's the artifice of this island that scares him the most. They're very intelligent. They're very smart, but it's the artifice. And right off the bat, when you go back and reread the scene and you realize it's Zaden's mom and the fact that she sees him and acts surprised when in reality, she has known for weeks that he might be showing up on her doorstep. It is so disconcerting and so unsettling to read because it is so fabricated. The entire initial greeting.

[Christina]

Right.

[Kim]

That they have.

[Anna]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Christina]

That's so well to think about. Yeah. Her being like. And, like, stumbling and.

[Kim]

Satan, it's you.

[Anna]

It's you.

[Kim]

I never.

[Anna]

I never thought my wildest dreams I would get to see you again. Would really. She's known for.

[Christina]

You've been batching that chocolate up for weeks. Bitch.

[Kim]

Right. She's been hoarding chocolate for weeks. And that's. Violet's dead giveaway.

[Anna]

Yep.

[Kim]

So there's a lot that happens here. It is so hard for Zaden to see his mom. I mean, he has. He has abandonment issues. That's a very real valid thing that he's feeling.

[Anna]

Absolutely.

[Kim]

And we've never seen him like this. We've never seen him be this vulnerable. It's very almost childlike. He's hiding on the patio. He's behind a chair. Talia, Zaden's mother, has approached Violet privately outside of the bedroom and is like, will he see me? And she's like, I don't think that's a good idea. You need to let him process this. And she's like, will you at least come to dinner? And she's like, I'll do whatever he wants to do.

[Christina]

And she tries to, like, bribe her.

[Kim]

She tries to bribe her, which should.

[Christina]

Have been our first clue.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So it's very heartbreaking to witness. And he recounts his last memory with his mother, and she used to make him chocolate cake. And she gives him the chocolate cake, and I think it's the night before his birthday, or it's very close to his birthday.

[Christina]

It's the morning on his birthday.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Yeah. And she gives it to him, and then it's that night that she disappears, and he never sees her again.

[Anna]

So sad.

[Kim]

And there's a scene where the dragons are on the beach. And there's two boys on the beach, and a caretaker or somebody runs out and, like, tries to shoo the boys away. And they don't seem to be upset, but I think they're worried about the dragons. And then you see his mom run onto the beach, and they call her Mama, and that Broke my heart to see Zaden see that he has siblings. And he's always. He's actually talked about the fact that he's never had siblings. Right. Like, Liam was his adopted brother. Bodhi's his cousin. Garak's his best friend. And the fact that he has these half brothers that he's never gotten a chance to know. And guys, he would be the best big brother.

[Anna]

He would. He would be the best.

[Christina]

They would look up to him and they look like little hymns, and it's just. It's. That was rough. Yes, that was rough.

[Kim]

It was very rough. And I. I hope there's some resolution going forward. I'm not saying we have to like Talia, but for Zaden and his, like, half brothers. I hope that we get something more out of this.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And because, like, Zaden just saying, she. She built a whole new family. I was so replaceable.

[Anna]

Well. Cause one of the little boys, I think, is, like, around 11. So it was like. I can't do math. But basically, he figured out that she came to this island and immediately started a new family right after she abandoned me. Like, how upsetting.

[Christina]

It's awful.

[Kim]

And he has this really vulnerable moment where he's talking with Violet and Zaden says, I'm aware in the moments I lack emotion. You and Garak don't need to share little oh, no glances. I already feel it. It's like sliding over a frozen lake while a shrinking part of me screams that I'm supposed to be swimming in those pieces I've bartered away. And those feelings are right beneath the surface. But fuck is skating faster and a hell of a lot less messy. This shit. He swings his finger back toward the house. It's messy and painful and infuriating. And if I could choose to give this portion of myself away, so help me, Malik, I would. I get it now. It's not just the power that's addicting. It's the freedom to not feel this. Oh, Zaden, when you read that, it's so well said. And it breaks Violet's heart.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And she looks at him and she's like, don't barter it away, I beg as he stares at the sea and the words spill out of me faster and faster as his eyes harden and he resurrects the defenses. Took me a year to break past the pain, the mess. Give it to me. I'll hold it. I know that sounds ludicrous, but I'll find a way. I will hold everything you don't want to feel because I Love every part of you.

[Anna]

Oh, I love this.

[Kim]

And he needed to hear that, and she needed to say it. And it was this beautiful moment where the two of them connected. And I think they needed that going into this dinner party that they're about to have. The dinner party from hell.

[Anna]

Part two.

[Kim]

Part two. Part two. No severed heads at this dinner, thank God.

[Christina]

No, just some mild poisoning.

[Kim]

Just mild poisoning for everybody.

[Anna]

I would say. Actually, maybe moderate poisoning.

[Christina]

Actually, you're right. It's severe poisoning. Actually, that's true.

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[Christina]

Yeah, so before we jump into the dinner party, I do want to read the epigraph of this chapter because it is very interesting. All right. Epigraph from chapter 25 is quote, Marriage is a necessary evil to secure the line, nothing more. Save love for your children. Confiscated correspondence of Finn Ryerson.

[Anna]

Finn.

[Christina]

Wowee. Okay, so we can take this two ways, right? We can take it one way and think, wow, what a difficult man to be married to. No wonder Talia fled. I feel a little more sympathy for her. It's never okay, but it gives us a little more. Sure, that's one way to read it. Way number two is he wrote this in spite. After she left, he's angry she left, and he's like, only love is for my child. She was gonna leave me anyway. Love doesn't exist except for your children. Fuck all women.

[Kim]

You know, like, oh, interesting. I see. I took it immediately as this is how he is, because, like Zaden has said, he only loved Tyr Andor and me.

[Christina]

Right?

[Kim]

Yeah, I didn't think about that.

[Anna]

Well, it just shows that there's grayness.

[Christina]

To every situation and an interesting insight into Finn. Whether it be before or after, this is still the person who raised Zaden. And this was the way he was taught to look at marriage.

[Anna]

Right? Right.

[Christina]

So what a gift that he is so committed now. Okay.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

So back to the dinner party. It's a rough time, guys. Talia insinuates that she tried to take Zayden. Zaden has all of these really great comebacks, you know? She says, I tried to take you. Your father wouldn't let me. Zaden Is like, you could have stayed. You could have fought for me. You could have been my mom. And to hear these things from him, especially, like, we're all moms. And, you know, the idea of ever leaving our children, abandoning them in any way, shape, or form. Like, it's really hard to read this from Zaden and not be like, fuck off, Talia. You don't deserve to breathe his air.

[Anna]

Totally. And it's so sad to see Zaden because Zaden also never opens up like this. Like, he has such a wall up for everybody else but Violet. And you see him be like, no, you could have been my mom. You could have stayed. And that's like, that little boy coming out in him. That's like, why didn't you stay? Like, why wasn't I enough for you to stay?

[Christina]

Why didn't you love me enough? Like, why wasn't I enough? And it's also so beautiful that, like you said, Kim, this is happening in front of everyone. Like, it's important to note that everyone is here seeing this outburst from him, which I think feels grounded from Violet enough to do. Like, Violet's hand is on his knee. Violet's holding his hand. She's being his tether, like we've said, you know, in this moment to feel the bravery to express these things totally.

[Kim]

And I want to make note that this is right after he talks about how easy it would be for him to slip under that icy surface and not feel anything. And he's making the choice to feel these feelings, which is big for Zaden.

[Christina]

Huge. Huge for Zaden. So, okay, turns out, everyone, the dinner party is actually the test to prove to the Triumvirate how wise they are. They fail. There's some fun moments here which we will dive into in other ways. Shape forms.

[Anna]

But enter the chocolate cake.

[Christina]

So there is a chocolate cake. It is poisoned. Which we all called the second that there was only forks in theirs. As did Violet, as she just starts batting it out of everyone's hands. Yeah, except for sweet Garrick, who's already eaten his whole piece.

[Kim]

So he, like, inhaled it.

[Anna]

He inhaled it.

[Kim]

This is really good cake, Talia. I hate you, but it's really good.

[Christina]

Talia. I'm not gonna lie to you.

[Anna]

Make a damn good chocolate cake.

[Christina]

Okay, so it's a rough time, guys. Garrick is on the floor. He's not breathing. Zaden is screaming. And then you're putting together that he was going to poison all of them. They were all about to die. Like, the goal was for all of them to be in this state.

[Kim]

Talia did not know this, though. Just. Just so that we know that in the next books, she did not know. She was like, you poisoned my son. She's pissed.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

So everyone's screaming, freaking out. But, oh, plot twist, sneaky sneak. Violet has already pre poisoned everyone.

[Kim]

I love this.

[Christina]

From the tea that was served before the meal. And so the tables have turned, and now to get the anecdote, they have to give the anecdote. It's a hole to do.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Turns out she's smart and figures out the anecdote, and she's ordering everyone like a boss bitch. And she's like, dang, go get my books.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And then she figures out how to get the anecdote with Riddick's help in the kitchen, which leads us to the moment we thought Riddick died.

[Anna]

Yep.

[Christina]

I was on the floor.

[Anna]

It's awful.

[Christina]

Oh, my God.

[Kim]

And it's at the end of the chapter, and it's, like, in his stomach. And I immediately go, vital organs. There's no way to come out of this.

[Anna]

He's.

[Kim]

That's it. There's your spleen. You'll bleed out. There's your. Like, your liver's been punctured. And I was like, there's no magic. There's no mender, right?

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And then he pulls it out, and I immediately go, you never pull how to stab.

[Anna]

We've all become like medics throughout these damn fantasy books. And everyone, like, stabbing each other. We're like, no, no, keep it in. Keep it in. That's the worst thing you do.

[Christina]

Put pressure on it, put it off the plate.

[Anna]

Like, who knew? Oh, my God. Who knew?

[Christina]

But all right. So anyways, he is okay. He is okay.

[Anna]

He is okay.

[Christina]

It's fine. But I do love this because the chef is one that stabbed him. He from. This has a hole in the flight jacket, and he just. Hitting the chef and just going, I hate sewing.

[Anna]

I hate sewing.

[Christina]

Sewing. It's so good. But it is this sweet moment between the two of them because Violet is so upset that he could have died, and she just. She can't even get words out. And Riddick just goes, I love you, too. And it's so sweet. And then he says, and I want a patch for this shit. Violet, request squad patch. Understand?

[Anna]

It's so good.

[Christina]

Okay. And then, like, okay, issue at hand. Let's go save Garrick.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

We pop back in, we save Garrick, and long story short, she's able to blackmail Faris, Talia's husband. She's like, you're the wise guy, right? This is the isle of wisdom. So it'd be really embarrassing if people knew that I outsmarted you in your own home, because you're all going to vomit until you die right now. So, I mean, he's absolutely furious, and I think this is probably going to come back later. Some sort of revenge.

[Kim]

Yep, 100%.

[Christina]

But right now, we all make it out.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

And we make it to the next aisle. Kim.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Anna]

Okay. So they go to the Isle of Zelna, and they worship Zinal, which is the God of luck. So very ominous. When they land in the previous islands, everybody has been very afraid of them and, like, fleeing to their homes. But this is the complete opposite. Everyone seems thrilled to see them. They're actually like, like, coming out of their homes, and they're all congregating in what we are imagining is, like, kind of a gladiator coliseum type situation. Okay. It's like a stadium.

[Kim]

It's very ominous.

[Christina]

They're cheering for them.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

It was such an interesting writing choice because it really did feel eerie.

[Kim]

It did.

[Anna]

It was unsettling from the beginning.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Anna]

It's also noted that this island is lush and full of greenery. And more importantly, there is a small thread of magic that can be felt. Also nearby is a cluster of small islands. So just keep that in mind. Okay, guys, this game, I'm gonna be honest. I. It'd be. It'd be a no for me. It'd be a real hard pass, real quick no. So basically, to sum it up, they have to pick cards, and then they have to accept the gift. I'm putting gifts in quotation marks, by the way, without hesitation or emotion. They can't be sad. They can't be mad. They can't be angry. They can't scream, cry, nothing. They have to accept the gift and say thank you. So, okay, Violet gets a broken. Doing quotes again. Compassion. I think that's absolutely gonna come up later in the series.

[Christina]

Absolutely. I think everything here is important. We're gonna, like, later, piece it all together, how it made them lucky somehow.

[Anna]

So Violet gets a broken compass. Zaden gets a glass box, and he's like, cool. We can put this on our nightstand tables. Like, neato.

[Kim]

Neato.

[Anna]

Yeah. Dain gets slapped, which, by the way, is a lot of people's. One of their favorite moments. He gets slapped and has to say thank you.

[Kim]

I honestly feel bad for Dana this whole trip.

[Anna]

I did, too.

[Kim]

He keeps getting overshadowed by Auric when.

[Anna]

He'S like, God damn it, you Brought me on this trip to be the translator, and Auric is a better translator than me. So, like, what am I doing here?

[Kim]

It's just hilarious. Arik's like, you never asked. Like, well, why don't you volunteer that information? He's like, and take away Dain's sweet little moment. He's like, but you did steal my thunder.

[Anna]

You did. You did it anyways. Oh, okay. So the biggest thing that happens from this terrible game is that Trager gets killed by an arrow. And as we know, fliers and Griffin's lives are tied to each other, like, at the same time. Whereas riders and dragons, a dragon can live without its rider. A rider can't live without its dragon. So, of course, Trager's griffin dies. It is all horribly sad because Trager and Cat had literally just gotten together, and we finally get to see Cat happy with somebody and not be such a heinous all the time. She does. She does, like, take it as well as she possibly can. And I actually thought she did a fantastic job compartmentalizing.

[Christina]

I agree. I respected that a lot.

[Anna]

It was hard to read. And. And so he dies, and then Violet basically has, like, almost a meltdown. She's like, we have searched almost all the islands. We have one island left. I don't think we're going to find the era dragons. This whole, whole Quest squad was a complete failure. I'm the leader. I'm in charge. I don't know what I'm doing. And sweetest Zaden has this to say to her. And Rebecca says that this is her favorite Zaden line that she's ever written, which is really interesting. And he says the best leaders are the ones who never won the job. This is your mission because Andarna chose you. Taryn chose you. I hate to break it to you, but you were selected by a general among dragons. You can choose to step into leadership, or he can drag you. Either way, you're going to end up in front.

[Kim]

Yep.

[Christina]

Mighty interestant.

[Kim]

Little foreshadowing there.

[Anna]

A little foreshadowing maybe for the end of the book. And also, this just feels very Zaden. You know, he basically is like, I love you. You are my world. You're literally the reason I breathe. But, like, also, you can either step up or you're gonna get dragged. Which is it gonna be?

[Christina]

I feel like that's just so important, and I love it.

[Anna]

The only other precious thing that happens is a beloved character gets introduced. Broccoli the kitten.

[Christina]

Oh, Broccoli.

[Anna]

Broccoli the kitten gets given to Drake. And so Drake is now the proud father of a kitten.

[Kim]

A cat daddy.

[Anna]

He's a cat daddy. And she's orange, but he names her Broccoli. And Meera's very irritated by this. And she was like, why would you not name the cat Carrot? Because she's orange. And Drake says, just to frustrate you. Sorendale, I love this.

[Kim]

I want Mira to be so fucking irritated with him that one night they're arguing and then she just. Just kisses him.

[Anna]

And it's like.

[Kim]

Just like, I hate you, but I love you.

[Christina]

It's going to be everything and more. I think that we're dreaming. I'm obsessed with them.

[Anna]

Okay, Anna, let's break down the Irid dragons.

[Kim]

Yes. Okay, so we leave the Isle of Zelna. We're going to go burn Trager and his griffin's body. Because Cat's like, I'm not leaving it here to chance. Like, I want every part of him burned. So we are flying around, and this is important. So like Kim had said earlier, there is an archipelago, like a grouping of small islands off of Zelna. While we're there, we split up into groups, groups of two. And that is when the Irids deign to show up. Riddick and Violet are together alone with Andarna, Taryn, and Atrium. And the ered dragons appear, and they are chameleon style, like, walking along the beach with their little ghost footprints. And Violet's like, what's happening? And then they appear.

[Anna]

Poof.

[Kim]

They're there. And the first thing that's noted is that they are all feathertails, okay? And they are appalled when they see that Andarna's tail is no longer a feather tail. And they're like, what have they done to you? Meaning, like the other dragons and the people of Navarre, like, why? Why did it change? And she was like, well, this is what I needed in the moment. And they're very confused and frustrated with this. And I did think this was interesting at first. I thought, okay, so all ear dragons have feather tails. But the way that it's described in 4th Wing and Iron Flame is that young juveniles have feather tails. So all dragons should be feather tails. And is that what they're upset about? Is that she. We get to, in a minute, like, criterion that the tails, it's like evolution. They are born of a need for what those dragons need in Avar, right? And the ERA, dragons are a passive species. They're not battling anyone. They have no need for a Morningstar tail. A club tale. But that's what's happening in Navarre.

[Christina]

That's exactly what it is.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Okay, so we have this little story time, which was. Was so adorable and kind of funny. I'm just imagining, like, a child who can't land the plane telling a story. So they're sitting there. They're being really patient. They're listening to the story. And Andarna's done. And she mentions using her juvenile gift to stop time right at the end of fourth wing to save Violet. And the Eras are genuinely shocked by this. Like, how could you do that? How could you gift her that? And Andarna's response is, well, you undervalue our connection. Just because she's a human doesn't mean that I don't care for her. She's my human.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And the, er, dragon apologizes. He's like, respectfully, okay, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize that. And I love Riddick. Riddick's like, damn, this breed apologizes. Yeah. Which is true. They're being actually, like, oddly respectful of Violet's personal space. And very different personalities from, like, Terence and Gale. And what we've come to expect from dragons.

[Christina]

They're, like, rude while not being aggressive somehow. Or, like, they're, like, judgy while not being aggressive about.

[Kim]

They're very judgy. So this is the big thing that we learn about them. And this is a quote. Our breed is born for peace, not violence. Like others, you were left behind as the criterion, the measurement of their growth, their ability to choose tranquility and harmony with all living things. We'd hoped you would return to tell us the humans had evolved, that they had blossomed under the Wardstones and no longer used magic as a weapon. But instead, you have shown us the opposite. And dragonkind has not learned their lesson either. While you. And then he points to Atrium gifted your human ice. And then he looks at Taryn. You armed yours with lightning. And you. The male looks at Andarna. Our very hope have handed this human something far more dangerous to wield, haven't you guys?

[Anna]

Far more dangerous. I think it's because people can't shield when they're dreaming. And so they're a lot more vulnerable to Violet than they would be anybody else.

[Christina]

I agree with that.

[Kim]

So I want to break down what the Irides say about the venom, because I. Obviously, something is going on with them, right? And the Venin and Andarna, we've seen her with her fire. So this is what one of the Irids say. Perhaps the corrupted one should Devour the land in its entirety. Only when they're faced with starvation will they confront the evil they've become. Either they'll die off and the land will regenerate, or they'll confront the abominations they become and change. Okay, just because this is the way my brain works. There's some parallels here. So they're like we said, they're on an archipelago of islands. Right? Okay. So the way an archipelago is formed is through volcanic eruption. Volcanoes literally wipe everything out. They destroy. They suck the life. Just like Venice. Venin destroy all life. But the one thing that volcanoes do, and that's why you have an archipelago, is they regenerate. They actually are fertile and they blossom new life. And the fact that she uses the term regenerate, she talks about your tails, that, like, your tail is a product of, like, your circumstance and you guys have not learned yet. And then the next comment where she says the offspring of the Venin could evolve. There's just like, all of these, like, evolutionary parallels, which are really interesting to me. And the fact that I think that the era dragons live somewhere near this archipelago, maybe on the Love island that we never visit, that's named after the goddess of love. And I just. There's something there. The fact that she keeps talking about that the Venin have to evolve. What does that mean? How can they change? Because I think of venom as being in a stagnant state, almost like a vampire.

[Christina]

Agreed. Agreed. We haven't seen someone, you know, be cured or change or go back, like revert, you know, but it's disconcerting that she's saying evolve. And it's not like, oh, tomorrow he can just do this one thing. And it's like, the change is gonna happen. It feels like a lengthy in the future gener.

[Kim]

And it's like, how long does it take? Because we've been doing this now for.

[Anna]

600 years, 100 years there's been venom and they've not evolved.

[Kim]

Yeah. I mean, evolution does take millennia, but we don't have millennia.

[Anna]

We don't have that kind of time. We surely have.

[Kim]

And I do want to say, just because this line that says their offspring could evolve. Rebecca has debunked the entire theory that Violet is pregnant. She has debunked that in an interview on her book tour. There is no sneak baby.

[Anna]

Thank God.

[Kim]

She is big on consent and was like, no, they took the tonic and it's working.

[Christina]

Yes. And there would have to be a conversation on page for that to have changed.

[Anna]

Absolutely. I love that.

[Kim]

So the other thing she says is power exchange kills a soul one piece at a time. Talking about exchanging power for your soul when you're channeling, like, becoming Venon. And death has no cure, which is what Jack keeps saying. Like, we don't need to be cured. We don't look for a cure. Death has no cure. Then what Andarna says is, she talks about how she was able to change them with her fire and how she was able to kill that one. And the female dragon looks at her and she seems frustrated and she says, hopeless. And again, it goes back to that conversation in the prologue where Indarna says, I altered that Venin with my fire when I was changing my scales. So maybe she was not supposed to burn him. And that's why the woman is, like, hopeless. Like, I'm so frustrated with you. That was not what your point is. But they don't say anything more.

[Anna]

They don't finish their damn sentences.

[Christina]

Yeah, it feels like the Era Dragons are like, oh, my God, focus up. They don't matter. Your whole job was just to see if they were good or not. You weren't supposed to care about a venom. You weren't supposed to care about a person. You're hopeless. You're not even understanding the point.

[Kim]

Yes.

[Christina]

But I feel like there's a vocabulary issue here. Like, I think we're also focused on the word cure. And I feel like the word cure is hopeless, but I think that there are instances where the word alter and the word change do have hope.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

You know.

[Anna]

Agree, Christina.

[Kim]

Yeah, I personally, I keep saying this. I would love for us not to cure them, but instead find, like, there's got to be something more interesting happening here. I really hope that's the case. Anyways, to round out this whole very confusing, convoluted half answers scene with the Era Dragons, they basically call Andarna a horror. And it's so sad. And she is so devastated. And just Taryn and Sigale, you just, you know that they're going mama bear inside and wanting. And she is so, so sad. Like, you've. She, like, literally wilts this feisty little teenager. Ugh. It's so sad. And what she says to them, though, like, one of her last lines to the Air Dragons is, you preach peace while only having known its privilege. And I love that.

[Anna]

Love it.

[Christina]

Agreed.

[Kim]

And then she says, you all are a disappointment to me.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

I'm so happy that we got those lines from her. It actually makes me even more frustrated that she leaves with them later. But Fine. But I love these lines that we get from her. I love it.

[Kim]

Yeah, I agree. So that's where we are, and that's what we learned from the air dragons, which is not much. We're left with more questions.

[Anna]

We are.

[Kim]

So we leave the islands. And just one more note. We visit all the God islands except for the goddess of love.

[Anna]

Goddess of love.

[Kim]

Interesting. And Zamore also, the farther we move away from Navarre, we get a little more magic, which I wonder if that means we're getting closer to the ered dragons.

[Anna]

Interesting. Interesting. Okay, so through this conversation with the era dragons, the truth does come out that Zaden is a Venin. And Riddick and Violet end up having, like, this really sweet conversation where Riddick is upset that Violet did not tell him that Zaden was Venin. And Violet's like, it's not my. My story to tell. And they have this really beautiful, really heartfelt, wonderful conversation. And he is pissed, but he does accept it and basically just makes her choose a line to know. Like, what is your line? Where, like, I could step in. And they decide that it's. If Xaden ever hurts Violet, then that would be the line where Riddick is able to step in and, like, do something. So they return back to Biscayath, and Violet has a little stalker named Theophany, AKA Mia Thermopolis, who has left another note for Violet. Basically, she's like, I know what you've been up to, and I'm not so patiently waiting for Violet to seek her out and ask the questions she desperately needs the answer for. For the love of God, can somebody put some fucking information down on page for us, please? The answer is you so desperately seek. What would that be?

[Kim]

What would that be?

[Anna]

Just if you were to sum up just like, what would that be?

[Christina]

Like, Can I get a hint? Can I get a clue?

[Anna]

Anything? We have a really sweet moment with Sawyer where he finally mounts his dragon for the first time ever since his injury. It is. Is beautiful. I wept. It was such a wonderful moment for their little squad, their little inner circle squad. Riddick is hugging everybody. Like, there's tea. It's just so beautiful. I loved it. And then we get a really, really wonderful, sexy time scene. Christina, will you walk us through this?

[Christina]

You know what else was beautiful? This sexy time scene. Guys.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

So good. It's. He. It's raining. I want everyone to picture this. There's rain. There's rain involved. You know, we love it. You know, we're sluts for a rainbow.

[Anna]

Oh, sluts for remain SCENE Airport vibes got you stressing?

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[Christina]

Hey so turns out it's been 73 days. 73 days he's been restraining himself from Violet because he's worried he's going to lose control, but he picked 76 days as like his cut off, right? Because 76 days is twice as long as motherfucking Jack Barlow's record for not pulling from the source. So he's like, if I can double that, if I can do that, then I'll be safe. Like I can trust myself. And he only makes it 73 days and he's like, it's only been 73. And she's like fuck those last three days. So good.

[Anna]

Fuck up.

[Christina]

So yeah, she's in this nightgown that he picked out for her and he's like flustered by her being in it and it's so adorable and it's so sweet. Just everything we've wanted. Like it's been a long 73 days for us as well as the reader at this point.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

And we get these quotes from him where he's like, even when I'm not entirely me, whatever I am still craves you, needs you, only wants you. Oh, guys, it's so good. It's so good. Like, how does she do this? He's so sexy while being so sweet. It's such a combo.

[Anna]

It's incredible.

[Christina]

Okay, the other quote we have here, my control when it comes to you is an illusion. You are the temple where I worship. I live for the clench of your thighs, your breathy little cries, and the feeling. Anna. God damn it.

[Anna]

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

[Kim]

I always give it to you.

[Anna]

It's 10:40am, Anna.

[Christina]

Okay, I can do it. Okay. Okay. Your breathy little cries, the feel of you coming around my. And above all else, the sound of my favorite three words from this mouth.

[Anna]

This mouth.

[Christina]

And then he says, keeping my hands off you has been the feat of my life. And you have the power to shred my discipline with a single touch.

[Kim]

Oh, God.

[Christina]

So hot. This tortured soul shadow daddy of sexiness. I can't handle it. It's incredible.

[Kim]

And he's clearly been struggling with control this entire book. Right? And his want of control. And that's basically what he asks her for, is control. And I'm here for it. I think we all are. And the shadows, and they're tying her up. It's just so sexy.

[Christina]

The shadows have never been used. Better. We'll say it right now.

[Kim]

10 out of 10.

[Anna]

A no notes. 0 notes on the shadow usage.

[Kim]

And he's being so dominant, but also making sure that she's in control. Like, she has her magic, she has her daggers. And it's like that edge of, like, we're skating a little danger here.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So hot.

[Anna]

And we love it.

[Christina]

He also calls her love in a great moment, doesn't he?

[Anna]

He does. He says, grab hold, love. Okay, so, like, also, people were confused about the acrobatics in this scene.

[Kim]

Same.

[Anna]

There are some really great tiktoks about. Like, okay, no. So Zaden's on the chair. Violet is straddling him, but holding on to the top of the chair. Okay.

[Kim]

It's so funny.

[Anna]

It's hysterical. It's absolutely hysterical. It's so listen, I was doing the.

[Kim]

Logistics in my head. I was like, I. Hold on.

[Christina]

What is she grabbing hold of? Exactly.

[Anna]

Oh, my God, it's so good. And so they're having the sexy times. And he's like, grab hold or whatever, but he's still scared to fully let Go like on his end. And she says, my body, my soul, my power is all right here. You love me. You will never hurt me. Let go, Zayden. Oh, love it. I love it.

[Christina]

Such an interesting parallel. Is that like my chair, my woman, she's like my body, my soul, my power. It's mine.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Kim]

You know, love it.

[Anna]

Oh, Christina, I love that.

[Kim]

Well done, Rebecca.

[Anna]

That was a fantastic scene. Loved it.

[Kim]

Yes. So after this scene, they are sleeping, and this is when Violet dream walks for, like, the. I think it's technically the third time in this book. So she dreamwalks and she wakes up, and this is when Zaden's like, holy shit, you're a dreamwalker. And that was my dream you were seeing. And what we. After discussion, what we realized is that when Andarna was in her dreamless sleep, what Violet wanted the most was to communicate with her, to talk to her. And so that's how her second signet developed. But unfortunately, signets don't, so far, work on their dragons. So she latched onto the closest person to her, which was Zaden, and that's how she was able to develop the dream, which is why she was dream walking into his dream so often in Iron Flame, which all makes sense now.

[Anna]

Yep, it totally does.

[Kim]

And Zaden warns her that this is basically a type of intensic and you've got to keep it secret, keep it safe.

[Anna]

Yep.

[Kim]

And that if you can hone this skill, she'll be able to walk into anyone's dream while they sleep, which.

[Christina]

How handy and scary.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

Because he says you cannot shield while you sleep. So the implications here are huge. They're big. Yes.

[Christina]

But also maybe handy when we can't communicate in other ways.

[Kim]

Yes. Yes. And I will say what Rebecca Yarros has said in her book tour, that we have seen 85% of what Violet's lightning is capable of, but we've only seen 10% of what her dream walking capabilities are.

[Anna]

Are.

[Kim]

Because she hasn't been able to hone them. And it's a similar thing for Zaden.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Kim]

They can't talk about with anyone else, so therefore, they can't practice it on anyone else. So they don't know what they're capable of.

[Christina]

Also, there has been no other human to even be like, oh, here's a book on it. Here's anything. All he's been doing is pushing it down and hiding it and masking it.

[Anna]

Yep.

[Kim]

Okay, so I want to talk about what she hears in the dreams. So what the sage says is you will Bring what I want. His grip tightens with every word, allowing only a trickle of air into my lungs. Or she dies. I'm through waiting. And I will not allow her to win such a prize. So this is Zayden's dream. And the she that he wants is Violet. That's what Zaden says. You're coming in mid conversation. And then the sage also says, I will not allow her to win such a prize. Meaning I think theophany. Like, I'm not gonna let theophany take you. But remember, this goes back to what we talked about in part one. That I don't think it's really Violet. It's and Darna that they want. But the way to get in Darna is through Violet. I want her.

[Christina]

Interesting. And I think they want Violet still for something. Like, I still think there's something there with the prophecy.

[Kim]

I think Violet and Darna go hand in hand in a lot of ways.

[Christina]

Yeah. I also. When we say the sage, we mean Berwyn, right?

[Kim]

Yes. So that brings me to Berwyn.

[Christina]

Okay, great.

[Kim]

Just making sure, which is interesting, that he calls himself. I am a general.

[Christina]

Right.

[Kim]

He calls himself a general, but theophany, it calls him a sage. And. And Zaden refers to him as a sage, which is interesting.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

So the sage that we're seeing in the dream is Berwyn. And I think he's a dreamwalker, because remember how we have balance with the signets in Venon and then in humans? And I think the fact that he knows Violet's there, he literally looks at her and she's trying to, like, wake Xaden up. And he says, I told you, he can't. And here I'd hoped you'd be a quick learner. How disappointing. He is talking to her in Zaden's dream. I think that he's a dreamwalker, just like she is. And that is going to be a thing going into the next book.

[Christina]

Yes, 100%. Another just piece of this. So when she pulled the knife, she's gonna stab herself. Like, wake herself up. Cause if she can feel pain, then she'll wake up when she pulls that knife. He is scared. He looks at her, his eyes flare. He's scared because he could also get hurt in dreams because he's also dreamwalking. And he realizes this, that she can hurt herself. She could also hurt him, I think is what he's realizing.

[Anna]

Yes. Christina.

[Kim]

So then says, you can manipulate these.

[Anna]

Dreams, which is like, guys, the implications.

[Kim]

Of that, we've seen 10%.

[Christina]

She could kill People in the dreams. Right.

[Anna]

But it's just like, what. What could this alter? If you can actually physically do something in dreams? Like, what. How does this alter the. The waking time?

[Kim]

Yeah. And I do also want to make note that Violet is able to walk into Zaden's dream even when he's not next to her. He can be hours away in a different city, and she is able to go into his dreams, which I think is going to be help us in book four if they're separated.

[Anna]

I agree.

[Christina]

I'm curious, because the only other person's dream we've seen her go in is Marin's. Right?

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Like, besides Zayden.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

So, like, why Marin? You know what I mean? Like, what fueled that? How did she choose that? Like, her family was in trouble, but, like, I guess she just knew that instinctively. Like, how did that.

[Kim]

I don't know.

[Christina]

You know what I mean?

[Anna]

That's a great question. I don't know. I think this goes back to, like, we just haven't seen enough about it to know.

[Kim]

Like, maybe something triggers right now it's all by accident. Which is why I think Berwyn's like, I thought you'd be a quick learn.

[Christina]

Well, also, it's interesting why the often he was like, let me train you, like, not him. And it makes sense, actually, that we think about it, that the Theophany and Berwyn both want her because she is both of their balance separately, you know, so that's like kind of the competition. I think there is. They are like, no, she's my balance. And she's my balance.

[Anna]

She's mine.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Anna]

Interesting. Christina, that's such a great point. Because she has one of each of their quote unquote signets.

[Kim]

Sure.

[Christina]

Yeah, exactly.

[Anna]

So interesting. Okay, let's move to the Venin attack that happened.

[Christina]

Let's do it.

[Anna]

So they get woken up and there is a Venin attack at Ryerson House. Chaos ensues. And in the middle of it, Arc's like, hold. Wait. Really? Just like, hold on really quick, though. I do. I do have a. I have a thought. And she's like, literally, what could you want? Like, I am so busy right now. And he's like, I know. I totally get it. It's just that you need to go protect the Temple of Doom.

[Kim]

Gotta go do it.

[Christina]

She literally looks at him like, he's a fucking dumb dumb. And she's like, no. Just no.

[Kim]

No, Shawn, to her credit, he.

[Christina]

He doesn't really try harder.

[Anna]

No, he's not selling it. No.

[Kim]

I feel Like, Arc's like, it was, like, a feeling. Don't worry about it. It's probably not important.

[Anna]

You know, whatever. I. Forget I said anything.

[Kim]

Forget I said anything.

[Christina]

You know who does remember is Andarna. Andara remembers.

[Anna]

Andarna does remember. So they're fighting, but then Andara's like, nope, we gotta go to the temple. And Violet's like, oh, my God, what's happening right now? Like, I feel like I'm losing control of everything. So they go to the Temple of Doom because Andara's like, he's a prince. Violet. Like, you have to listen to him. And she's like, okay, okay, okay. So they get to the Temple of Dune. The priestesses are all outside to help protect it. And the priestess notes Violet's hair and says that Violet has journeyed far to come to their aid, which is weird. And Violet's like, no, I just. I was like. I don't know. I was just, like, right over there. But Violet's like, I mean, basically, no. Like, I don't think the goddess of Dune is about to come take up arms to defend you guys anytime soon. And the priestess goes, oh, of course not. She sent you, you wild. What do you. What do you mean? What do you mean? So Theophany shows up, this little stalker. This stalker, like, get a life, man.

[Kim]

Why are you so obsessed with me?

[Anna]

You don't even go here. She sees Andarna, and, I mean, is entranced by this dragon. Like, she is obsessed with Andara. And Andara tries to breathe fire on Theophany and, like, two stages behind her. And then Theophany says this to Andarna. Marvelous. She says with a smile, did that make you feel bet. And then she gets cut off. And we think she was about to say, did that make you feel better? Like, did that make you feel better to, like, get it out? Yeah. What?

[Kim]

Who is she talking to? Is she talking to Indarna? Did that make you feel better to get it out, or did. Is she. This goes back to the whole thing about the fire and, like, it doesn't hurt them because she's not in her chameleon state. She's black right now. She's not changing her scales while doing this. Yeah. So, like, is she talking to the stages behind her? Like, did that make you feel better? Like, is it a question of, like, did that make. Did that fix you? Did that alter.

[Anna]

Did that alter you?

[Christina]

Oh, interesting. But. But better. I feel like she wouldn't think that it's better to be altered. Like, she wouldn't say, like, better.

[Kim]

I don't know. We don't know. Because she's dead.

[Christina]

Like, she would be like, did that make you a lowly human again? Did that make you feel awful?

[Kim]

I don't know. I don't know. It's just weird.

[Christina]

It's weird. It's absolutely weird.

[Anna]

Yeah, it is weird. There's something about, like, a release of power, maybe, of like. You know how Violet says, like, sometimes, like, that's why she has the conduit to, like, kind of channel some of that power into. It's like m'lady needs to release bits of her power. You know what I mean? M'lady needs to do that to feel better. So maybe that is something with Andarna where because she's so special, she needs to get this out as kind of maybe a release. The Ophany knows something about Andarna that, like, we, the reader and Violet do not know. That is for Daniel.

[Kim]

Oh, 100%.

[Christina]

And she's gone. Bye. Bye. So that's unfortunate.

[Anna]

Well, and she's done.

[Kim]

No one can ask a question.

[Anna]

So we can't ask questions. So right after that, Theophany's gaze rises to the sky and she backs away, her eyes widening. Leave them and go. She shouts to the approaching dark Wielders and breaks into a run toward them. Now all three grasp hands and the one in the center takes a single step and vanishes. Which means they have a Distance Walker. Just like Garruk. Because why, ladies?

[Kim]

Balance.

[Anna]

Balance.

[Christina]

Because that is different, I think, than the Sages we've seen poof before because they're always by themselves. This is like, I'm grabbing you. You're coming with me. Which is the way Distance Walker works.

[Anna]

Yeah, it's like whittling. So basically what happened is Leon, one of the ered dragons that we met back on the the islands, shows up and helps fire the wards.

[Kim]

Yay.

[Anna]

Finally, you do one thing right. But then turns out he is a distant relative of Andara and he invites her back with the air dragons to learn the ways of her kind. But it requires breaking the bond she has with Violet because she could be gone for years, y'all. I hate, hated this so much. This was so upsetting to me. I'm so upset. Like, I get it. I just. It makes me so sad and I. I just feel like she left so abruptly. Why did she leave like that? She didn't even say goodbye. There was no moment between them.

[Kim]

So I think I was less upset than you guys. I was. I was really Sad. But I read it as Leothan breaking the bond and not giving any warning. Like, and Darna didn't know how to do that. And then there's a moment where Violet says, like. Like, go, I love you or something. And Andarna looks at her and her face lunges forward like she's trying to say something and she can't because the bond has been severed. And then Leophan's already flying away and she's like, I have to go. I'm gonna lose him.

[Anna]

Yeah, I know. Agreed.

[Christina]

I think he did it without warning. And I don't think it's Andarna's fault. I find it frustrating as the reader to go through it, but I do think she was. And Darna was trying to say something sweet and got cut off.

[Anna]

Oh, for sure. Yeah. No, I'm not mad at Andarna. I just. To me, it felt. Felt very, like, frustrating because I just felt like it was so abrupt and for how close they are and darn. And knew what this would do to Violet. Like, I guess I just don't. I wish I wanted a goodbye. I would have loved a bye bye. Like, just literally.

[Christina]

Because we got that moment from Violet.

[Anna]

Yes.

[Christina]

And I think a piece of it. I think why it feels so intimate to us is it does feel like a mother. Mother moment. It feels like your kid is going off to college. I'm like, see ya. Bye. And doesn't care.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Like, that's kind of how it feels. Feels.

[Anna]

Doesn't look bad. Doesn't give you a goodbye hug.

[Kim]

Oh, God, don't even say that.

[Christina]

Like, that's how. That's. I think the implication here. That's why it's so heavy, you know? Yeah.

[Anna]

Yes. And like, Violet says, I love you and I want you to feel complete. I want you happy and safe and thriving. I want you to live, even if it's not with me.

[Kim]

A mother's love.

[Anna]

A mother's love. Like, I think there is this part of Violet that feels like she did help raise Aunt Darna, even though she does note that it was mostly Taryn and Sigil. But, like, Violet did also help raise and Darna, and it is like she's just leaving her. And Violet doesn't know when she's gonna see Andarna again. The guy. They literally said it could be years.

[Kim]

And it goes back to what the ear had said of like, how could you bond a child, basically.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Kim]

And we're also like, well, it's not Violet's fault.

[Anna]

Right.

[Christina]

She didn't know Exactly.

[Kim]

And she's like, I'm the leader of my den. There's no one else like me. You guys left me here alone.

[Anna]

Yeah.

[Christina]

How was I supposed to know?

[Kim]

I do what I want.

[Anna]

Yeah. I'm doing the best I can with the situation at hand here.

[Kim]

Yes. You want me to the criterion. Well, that was not explained to me.

[Anna]

Leave a note.

[Kim]

You literally, literally abandoned her egg.

[Christina]

But it's hard. And I think that's another piece that makes it so hard. Is that all we've seen is them be mean to her.

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Christina]

Right. All we've seen is them be judgy and call her a horror. And, like, we've built in Darna back up. And so now her to leave, to go there is like. It's hard. It's hard to be like, I know that they are your kind, but we are your people. It's hard.

[Anna]

Yes, exactly, Christina. Exactly. It's. It's really sad. So Violet is. Is obviously, like, devastated from suffering the loss of the bond with Andarna. And she literally is in bed for days. Like, she is distraught. She sleeps for days. She is not in a good place. And sweetest Taryn opens himself up to Violet in a way that he never has before. And Violet notes that he gives her unfettered access to him, which he has never done before, because he knows that Violet needs it.

[Kim]

She does.

[Christina]

This broke me for some reason, like, big, sweet tear and being like, no, no. You can be in every conversation. Like, you are with me at all times. You are loved.

[Kim]

You are wanted.

[Anna]

I love Taran so much. God damn it. If he dies, I will never recover. I swear to you.

[Christina]

I. I did. I loved in this moment, too. The actual logistical gravitas where Zaden and people are like, no one's ever survived what you're surviving right now. Everyone's like, no, this is beyond. Just, like, you're having a sad day. Like, if. If you didn't have Taryn, you would be dead.

[Kim]

Do we think this is foreshadowing the fact that the bond was able to be broken?

[Anna]

Anna.

[Kim]

No, no, no. Hold on, hold on. Do we think it's foreshadowing that Segal and Taryn's bond is broken at the end?

[Christina]

People are suspecting that.

[Kim]

Like, is that why she put it in here so abruptly? Like, look, I'm showing that it happens, and then when we start book four, it's gonna be like, Taryn and Segail's bond was broken and Arna did it.

[Christina]

I think let's save that theory for the Q and A because a lot of people have already asked us that for the empyrean Q and A. Which btw we're doing on Patreon.

[Anna]

Yes they have. They want to know what we think about that. I don't like it one singular bit.

[Kim]

I don't love it.

[Anna]

Spoiler alert.

[Christina]

We're not a fan, but we'll dive into it anyway.

[Kim]

But if you guys want us to talk about it, we will.

[Anna]

Yeah, we will. But just know that we hate it. So I think that wraps up part two. We will be back next week with part three where we will be diving into just the ending. We are going to break down this crazy, crazy ending. The sneak marriage. All of this stuff we cannot wait. Wait.

[Christina]

And if you want more from us, be sure to check out our chapter chats on Patreon. We have lots of read along chapter chats over there, including one real special one of all of us together just gushing about the ending. So if you don't want to wait for next week and want to hear us talk about it, go to Patreon.

[Anna]

Exactly. Okay. Until next time. Bye guys. Well friends, that wraps up another episode of Flights of Fantasy Podcast. Don't forget to join our book club community on Instagram and TikTok at flights of Fantasy Podcast where you can share your thoughts, theories and favorite moments with us and fellow listeners. We'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed today's episode, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us spread the magic of Romantasy to even more book lovers. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember, every good story deserves to take flight.