Onyx Storm leaves readers with plenty of questions heading into The Empyrean Book 4 — and while Threshing Day doesn’t answer them outright, it provides clues to chew on. The story collection, which follows Fourth Wing‘s supporting characters as they bond with their dragons, is one readers will be theorizing about for a while. It introduces Violet’s father, Asher Sorrengail, for the first time. It also adds fuel to a popular Brennan and Naolin theory. But one of the largest mysteries on the heels of Onyx Storm revolves around Xaden’s new venin brother. Threshing Day gives us compelling reasons to think it’s Bodhi.
At the end of Onyx Storm, when Xaden goes to Berwyn, he’s dismayed to realize someone else has turned venin. He notes that this person has watched him struggle all year, making their decision more perplexing. The identity of Xaden’s new “brother” is one that continues to fuel discussions in the Fourth Wing fandom. Because Rebecca Yarros is known for dropping subtle clues in her writing, it’s also led people to search for hints about who it could be.
The biggest contenders are Garrick and Bodhi, neither of whom is accounted for after Onyx Storm‘s ending. Both are loyal enough to follow Xaden down a dark path, and both have reasons for drawing too much power during the book’s final battle. However, Threshing Day drops a few clues that point to Bodhi being the new initiate. If true, that one’s going to hurt. SPOILERS ahead for Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros.
Bodhi Calls Xaden His Brother in Threshing Day
Bodhi and Xaden are technically cousins, but if there’s any doubt they view each other as brothers, Threshing Day clears it up. When Xaden meets Bodhi prior to his Threshing, Bodhi tells him, “You’re closer to a brother than you are a cousin.” Given Yarros’ attention to detail, the wording is likely intentional. Whether she’s purposefully misleading us or offering a heavy-handed hint is the real question.
It also revives the main question surrounding the word’s use in Onyx Storm: Is Xaden referring to this person as his “brother” because he genuinely views them as such, or is this just his way of acknowledging that they’re siblings through their connection to Berwyn? If it’s the former, Bodhi
Bodhi’s Mother Tells Him to “Stay Close to Xaden”
When Bodhi faces down a dragon — one he shouldn’t have approached — he thinks back on something his mother once said to him. She tells him, “Stay close to Xaden. He’ll protect you, and you’ll keep him in balance. You need each other.” The first part is concerning, since Bodhi’s Threshing Day chapter emphasizes that he always keeps his word. If that means becoming venin to stick close to Xaden, he may just be willing to make that sacrifice.
Of course, as much as this quote supports Bodhi being venin, it also challenges the notion. The idea of Bodhi balancing Xaden is an intersting one, and it might mean that one of them must remain on the other side of Fourth Wing‘s war.
Threshing Day Confirms Death and Demise Are NOT the Same Thing
The most brow-raising part of Bodhi’s Threshing Day chapter arrives after he bonds with Cuir. The Green Swordtail tells him, “I’ll choose you every day until your death or your demise.” Bodhi then wonders at the phrasing, assuming they’re the same thing. As readers, we know that isn’t the case. Becoming venin is a type of demise, and the dragons clearly view it as a death. With the clever phrasing, Yarros lays the foundation for death and demise to mean different things to Bodhi. She also hints that Cuir may abandon him if he’s venin, assuming Cuir’s still alive.
With all the hints scattered throughout his POV chapter, Bodhi’s future in The Empyrean is looking grim. Yarros flipping expectations would be welcome… though it’d likely just put another beloved character in peril.
What do you think of Bodhi’s POV chapter in Threshing Day? Check back on Backtalk Books for more news and features covering upcoming releases!
