Rebecca Yarros's runaway hit Empyrean series, including Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, has millions of readers and listeners jumping aboard the romantasy train. One of the major reasons fans can't get enough of the series? Dragon-riding heartthrob Xaden Riorson. Xaden is tall, handsome, tough as nails, extremely loyal, and has a mysterious, dark past. It's a perfect recipe for a swoon-worthy love interest. Whether you're a devoted admirer of Xaden or new to the Empyrean series, we've got everything you need to know about everyone's favorite dragon-riding bad boy.
Warning: This character guide contains spoilers for the books Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
Who is Xaden Riorson?
Xaden Riorson is the fierce enemy-turned-lover of protagonist Violet Sorrengail in the Empyrean series. He is two years ahead of Violet in training as a dragon rider at Basgiath War College. Whereas Violet comes from a powerful military family in Navarre, Xaden grew up as the future heir of the province of Tyrrendor—until his father, Fen Riorson, was killed for leading the Tyrrish Rebellion when Xaden was 16. As the oldest of the 108 children orphaned by the failed rebellion, Xaden made a deal with Violet's mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, to be held accountable for the other 107, and in exchange, the children were allowed to live and compete to become dragon riders. This tension between Xaden and Lilith sets the stage for his clash with Violet when she starts at Basgiath, with Xaden having publicly sworn to kill Violet himself. This quickly becomes impossible as Xaden and Violet develop an unbreakable connection, strengthened by the fact that their dragons are mates.
When it comes to Xaden's appearance, Violet spends plenty of time throughout the books contemplating how devastatingly handsome he is. Xaden is described as well over six feet tall, impressively muscled and broad-shouldered, with tousled black hair, dark eyebrows, and tawny-brown skin. His eyes are onyx with flecks of gold. As a fierce fighter with a complicated past, Xaden's body shows the scars of where he's been. The dragon relic of Sgaeyl covers his back, along with 107 scars for the other children of the Rebellion he agreed to take responsibility for. A dark rebellion relic curls around his left arm, from his wrist to his neck. He has many scars from past clashes and punishments, including a slash across his left eyebrow from his dragon Sgaeyl.
A former aristocrat-turned-orphaned social outcast, Xaden is emotionally closed off and eager to avenge his father's death at the start of the series. However, he's also strong, perceptive, and determined, as evidenced by the fact that he's fought against all the negative perceptions of his background to become a respected Wingleader at Basgiath. As Violet grows closer to Xaden, she realizes he's deeply loyal, protective, and compassionate.
Xaden's dragon and signets
Xaden is bonded to one of the most fearsome, ruthless dragons in active service: Sgaeyl, a Blue Daggertail mated to Violet's dragon Tairn. Sgaeyl is roughly 50 years old, and she was once bonded to Xaden's grandfather.
In the world of the Empyrean series, riders gain a signet power from bonding with a dragon. Xaden's signet is shadow summoning, the ability to control shadows, especially useful for hiding from sight or solidifying shadows into a weapon to restrain or choke enemies. Xaden also has a second signet, believed to have manifested because of Sgaeyl's former bond with Xaden's grandfather. This second signet is inntinnsic reading, or the ability to divine others' true intentions. This ability is kept secret, as all inntinnsics are killed on sight once discovered.
Who are Xaden's allies and enemies?
Here are some of the other characters in the Empyrean series who play an important role in Xaden's journey:
Violet Sorrengail is the protagonist of the Empyrean series, and she has a complicated romantic relationship with Xaden. At the start of Fourth Wing, Xaden publicly declares his intention to kill Violet, whose mother Lilith killed his father after the Tyrrish Rebellion. But as Xaden grows closer to Violet as her Wingleader, and Violet pairs with his dragon's mate, they develop an intense connection, including telepathic abilities. Xaden takes great measures to train and protect Violet, as their dragons' relationship ties their fates together.
Fen Riorson was Xaden's father, the Duke of Tyrrendor, who was assassinated by dragon fire in front of 16-year-old Xaden for leading the Tyrrish Rebellion. Xaden feels a strong calling to avenge his father's death and continue his legacy through his work in the Revolution.
Liam Miari is Xaden's close friend. Liam is another child of the Rebellion who went into foster care with Xaden. Xaden is one of the few people Liam trusts, and he asks Liam to watch over Violet at Basgiath when he can't.
Bodhi Durran is Xaden's cousin and close friend, described as the nearest thing Xaden has to a brother. He is also a dragon rider.
Garrick Tavis is Xaden's oldest friend and a fellow dragon rider. Garrick's father was Fen Riorson's right hand, and thus Garrick and Xaden have been friends since childhood. Garrick's parents were also executed in the aftermath of the Rebellion.
General Lilith Sorrengail is Violet's mother and leader of the Navarre Army. Lilith sentenced Xaden's father, Fen, to death following the Tyrrish Rebellion, and Fen was thought to have killed Lilith's son (Violet's brother) Brennan. Lilith and Xaden struck a deal for Xaden to take accountability for the other 107 children orphaned by the Rebellion, and in turn, the children were allowed to fight to become dragon riders. Their relationship is contentious and creates more tension between Xaden and Violet.
What happens to Xaden in the Empyrean Series?
At the start of Fourth Wing, Xaden wants to kill Violet, but instead becomes her Wingleader at Basgiath War College after making a secret promise to her mother that he'd protect her. Xaden is intrigued by Violet after observing her cunning and determination, and so he begins to offer Violet advice on utilizing her unique advantages. Violet bonds with Tairn, the mate of Xaden's dragon Sgaeyl, creating a special connection between Xaden and Violet that eventually becomes romantic. Xaden crafts a saddle to help Violet ride Tairn despite her physical limitations. Toward the end of the book, Xaden reveals that he's been helping supply weapons to a group of rebels fighting venin, dark-magic users Violet was led to believe didn't really exist but are, in fact, encroaching on the borders of Navarre. Violet is seriously injured when she joins Xaden in a battle against the venin. Afterward, Xaden sits vigil at her bedside and is present when Violet learns her brother Brennan is alive and part of the Revolution.
Xaden starts Iron Flame by graduating from Basgiath War College and being named a lieutenant. He and Violet receive regular leave to visit each other so their mated dragons can be united. After Violet is held captive and tortured by the vice commandant of Basgiath, she is rescued by Xaden, and together, they reveal the truth about venin to the other cadets at the college. Throughout the book, Xaden must keep secrets from Violet about his activities and his past, and she grows angry when she learns of the inntinnsic ability—his second signet—he's been hiding from her. Xaden grows desperate to protect Violet in the climactic battle to protect Basgiath from venin, and channels magic from the earth in order to save Violet, inadvertently turning himself venin.
Onyx Storm begins with a big question: Is it possible to turn Xaden back from venin to human and save his soul? Xaden is held inside Basgiath under constant supervision by his closest friends to prevent him from channeling earth magic again; his condition is kept secret from everyone else. A royal decree reinstates Xaden as Duke of Tyrrendor and gives him a seat on the Senarium, Navarre's ruling council. With the true threat of venin revealed to all of Navarre, the kingdom seeks alliances to protect itself, and a small task force is sent to neighboring kingdoms. Despite his best efforts, Xaden channels a few more times and the gold flecks in his onyx eyes turn amber, signaling a deeper transformation into venin. While traveling, he and Violet learn that a prophecy believed to be about Violet turning venin was actually meant for Xaden. And during the book's intense, climactic battle, Xaden desperately channels earth magic again to save Violet and his dragon, Sgaeyl. Violet awakens several hours later with a gap in her memory, learning she is now wed to Xaden and has become the Duchess of Tyrrendor, but Xaden himself has fled.
Our favorite Xaden Riorson quotes
"She can't die, and not just because there's a chance I won't survive. She can't die because I know I can't live without her even if I do." -Xaden Riorson, Fourth Wing
"There's nowhere in existence you could go that I wouldn't find you, Violence." -Xaden Riorson, Fourth Wing
"I’m not afraid of hard work, especially not when I know just how sweet the rewards are. I would rather lose this entire war than live without you, and if that means I have to prove myself over and over, then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart, and I’m keeping it." -Xaden Riorson, Fourth Wing
"You aren't where I left you, Violence." -Xaden Riorson, Iron Flame
"Let’s get one thing straight. If I ever see a way to keep you safe? I’ll take it." -Xaden Riorson, Iron Flame
"I’m jealous of the armor that holds you when I can’t, the sheets on your bed that caress your skin every night, and the blades that feel your hands." -Xaden Riorson, Onyx Storm
Susie Dumond is the author of Queerly Beloved, Looking for a Sign, and Bed and Breakup. She is also a senior contributor at Book Riot and a bookseller.
