Wait, Is Tairn & Sgaeyl's Mating Bond Broken?! I Hope This Onyx Storm Theory Isn't True

Onyx Storm's shocking ending has led to many fan theories about the next Empyrean Series book, and the saddest has to do with Tairn and Sgaeyl's mating bond. While Violet and Xaden's relationship is the central focus of The Empyrean Series, Tairn and Sgaeyl are equally important to Fourth Wing and its sequels. It's their connection as mates that brings Xaden and Violet closer together — and gives them the ability to communicate mentally throughout Rebecca Yarros' books. Onyx Storm's ending sees Violet and Xaden separated, however, leaving readers to wonder how their dragons will deal with their newfound distance.

Among the many questions I had after Onyx Storm's ending is where Sgaeyl is, as it's not clear whether she's still with Xaden or closer to Tairn. She and Xaden come to some sort of agreement during his POV chapter, but Xaden's plans seem to involve giving in to the venin. Given that Berwyn wants Sgaeyl dead at the end of Onyx Storm — and venin riders don't seem as affected by losing their bonded dragons — it's possible Sgaeyl and Xaden also part ways. However, another theory posits that Sgaeyl and Tairn broke their mating bond, and I hope it isn't true.

Onyx Storm Theory Reveals That Tairn & Sgaeyl Broke Their Mating Bond At The End Of The Book

This Would Explain Tairn's State After The Final Battle

The end of Onyx Storm is chaotic, as Violet has no recollection of the book's final 12 hours, courtesy of Imogen wiping her memories. Violet and Xaden seemingly get married within that timeframe, and Xaden also leaves Aretia behind. He tells Violet not to look for him, but Onyx Storm doesn't reveal where Sgaeyl is. When Violet reaches for Tairn, she notes "the bond feels foggy." And Andarna tells her, "He needs a cycle of rest to recover." It's implied that he's recuperating from his and Violet's confrontation with the silver-haired venin, Theophanie. However, I'm not certain this is the case.

After all, Tairn is conscious and seemingly fine when Violet kills Theophanie; he's merely stuck in the net the venin uses to trap him. There's no clear reason Tairn should be so worn down after Onyx Storm's final battle, unless something significant happened during the 12 hours Violet has no memory of. And with Sgaeyl nowhere to be found, it seems possible that the two broke their mating bond. This might be the only way for Sgaeyl to remain with Xaden, as mated dragons need to see one another regularly — and running off with the venin would prevent that from happening.

Xaden and Sgaeyl are pretty cryptic when discussing their plans at the end of the book, but Xaden's disappearance suggests he'll leave with the venin. Sgaeyl doesn't initially have much confidence in whatever he intends to ask of Violet and Tairn. This is a clue that they'll need to agree to a major sacrifice. Sgaeyl seems more focused on Violet's consent, so it's hard to say if this discussion has to do with Tairn's bond with Sgaeyl. However, it certainly seems possible, especially given his surprising state in the final chapter of the book.

And while the mating bond between dragons is supposed to be the strongest connection in The Empyrean Series, Sgaeyl has put Xaden before Tairn in the past. She keeps Xaden's second signet a secret from Tairn in Iron Flame. And she remains with Xaden when he turns venin, despite Tairn consistently referring to him as "the dark one" and claiming he's lost. I think there's enough evidence to at least consider that Tairn's bond with Sgaeyl is broken. Plus, Andarna's arc in Onyx Storm lays the groundwork for it, as it establishes that dragons can break powerful bonds.

Andarna's Onyx Storm Story Sets Up This Tragic Tairn & Sgaeyl Twist

It's The First We Hear Of Dragons Using Their Magic To Break Bonds

Although it doesn't seem related at first glance, Andarna's story in Onyx Storm may have set up Tairn and Sgaeyl breaking their mating bond. When Leothan shows up to fire Aretia's wardstone, he convinces Andarna to spend time among the irids — and to break her bond with Violet to do so. Up until this point, The Empyrean Series only discusses broken bonds in relation to riders and dragons dying. However, Leothan tells Andarna that she's capable of severing her bond with Violet using her magic. He treats this like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

I know mating bonds are different from the bonds dragons form with their riders, but Leothan's words confirm that dragons can use their magic to break powerful connections. This would likely kill their rider if they were their sole dragon, but it's not clear whether dragons can willingly sever their own mating bonds. A dragon's mate dying allegedly kills them, but that doesn't necessarily mean dragons can't choose to leave their mate. Fourth Wing leaves questions about how the dragons' mating bond works, which means we can't rule out the possibility that Tairn and Sgaeyl can sever theirs.

What Tairn & Sgaeyl No Longer Being Mates Would Mean For The Next Empyrean Book

This Twist Would Make The Distance Between Violet & Xaden Even Greater

If the theory that Tairn and Sgaeyl's mating bond is broken proves true, it will have major consequences in the next Empyrean Series book. With Xaden and Violet being separated, Onyx Storm's sequel is already shaping up to be the darkest and bleakest addition to the series yet. Tairn and Sgaeyl no longer being bonded would make the distance between Violet and Xaden even greater, as it would remove their ability to communicate mentally or feel the other's presence, even when they're close to one another.

This twist would also affect Tairn deeply in the next book, as I don't believe the dragons would choose to break their bond lightly. Given that they still love each another, Tairn would struggle with Sgaeyl's absence, even without the bond in place. Just as he comforts Violet and Andarna throughout the first three Empyrean Series books, they'd need to support him through the next novel. And the absence of Sgaeyl could make Tairn reckless, making me think that my fears of Tairn dying in the next Fourth Wing sequel aren't totally unfounded.

This Onyx Storm Theory Makes Sense, But I Really Hope It Isn't True

It Would Make The Coming Sequels Even More Tragic

The Onyx Storm theory that Tairn and Sgaeyl's bond is broken makes a decent amount of sense, but I still hope that it isn't true. Tairn and Sgaeyl are among the most consistent characters in The Empyrean Series, and their love feels like a constant in Yarros' story. Upending that would make the next book so much more devastating, and we're already in for a rough time with Violet and Xaden being separated. I don't know that I can handle Tairn and Sgaeyl being in just as much pain, even if they reunite at some point after Onyx Storm.