The anticipation for the third installment of the Empyrean Series, Onyx Storm, was immense, and for many fans of the romantasy genre, the primary curiosity revolved around one thing: the 'spice' level. Following the intense, high-stakes romance of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, readers were eager to know where Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson’s relationship would go next, especially with the political turmoil and life-or-death stakes escalating. Released on January 21, 2025, Onyx Storm continues the legacy, delivering a mix of high-fantasy action, dragon-riding, and, yes, several highly-anticipated "open-door" romantic encounters.
This comprehensive, up-to-date guide breaks down every confirmed spicy chapter in the new book. Whether you are a dedicated "smut-slut" looking to skip straight to the steamy moments or a reader who prefers to know what content lies ahead, this list provides the exact chapter numbers and a brief, spoiler-conscious description of the intensity, ensuring you can navigate the 66 chapters of the latest Rebecca Yarros novel with confidence.
Rebecca Yarros: The Mastermind Behind the Empyrean Series
As the author of the globally bestselling Empyrean Series, Rebecca Yarros has cemented her place as a leading voice in the romantasy genre. Her work, which expertly blends high-stakes fantasy with deeply emotional and explicit romance, has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Understanding the author's background provides context for the intense emotionality and military precision found in her novels.
- Full Name: Rebecca Yarros
- Born: April 13, 1981 (Currently 44 years old, as of late 2025)
- Nationality: American
- Genre: Romantasy, New Adult, Contemporary Romance
- Notable Works: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm (The Empyrean Series); In the Likely Event; The Last Letter.
- Accolades: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, USA Today Bestselling Author, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author.
- Personal Life Context: Born in Washington, D.C., Yarros grew up in a military family, with both parents serving as U.S. military officers. This background heavily influences the structured, military-school setting of Basgiath War College and the intense loyalty and duty themes explored by characters like Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. She is often described as a "hopeless romantic and coffee addict."
The Confirmed List of Onyx Storm's Spicy Chapters
Onyx Storm contains a total of 66 chapters, with a confirmed nine chapters featuring some level of "spice," ranging from passionate kissing and dirty talk to full, explicit, open-door sex scenes. Fans of the main couple, Violet and Xaden, will be pleased to know their tumultuous relationship is punctuated by several intense, intimate encounters. The following list breaks down the chapters by intensity, focusing on the key open-door moments.
The Main Events: Full Open-Door Sex Scenes
These chapters are the most explicit and contain the full, uninterrupted romantic encounters that fans of the series often seek. They are crucial for the emotional and physical development of Violet and Xaden's relationship amidst the backdrop of the war with the Venin and the political machinations of the Riders Quadrant.
Chapter 25: The Consummation of Trust
This chapter is widely cited as the first major, full-throttle sex scene in the book. Following a period of high tension and emotional conflict, this encounter serves as a powerful moment of reconnection and trust between Violet and Xaden. The scene is described in delicious detail, marking a significant milestone in their relationship beyond the intense pressures they face at the war front and Basgiath. It's a dedicated "open-door" moment that solidifies their bond.
Chapter 49: The Last Hurrah
Chapter 49 is the second major open-door sex scene and is arguably the most emotionally resonant. It is often referred to by readers as the "full throttle spice" moment, picking up where the steamy prelude of Chapter 48 leaves off. The scene provides Violet and Xaden one uninterrupted night together, a rare moment of peace and passion before the plot takes a dramatic, high-stakes turn. The intense, almost desperate nature of this encounter highlights the constant danger and uncertainty that hangs over the Dragon Riders' lives, making it a pivotal and unforgettable moment for the couple.
The Steamy Preludes and Intense Encounters
In addition to the two major open-door scenes, Onyx Storm is filled with several shorter but equally intense chapters. These scenes often include heavy kissing, dirty talk, roaming hands, and sexual tension that build the atmosphere of the novel's romance.
- Chapter 3: The Early Encounter. This chapter contains a significant sexual encounter early in the book. It sets the tone for the couple's relationship dynamic in this installment, acting as a quick, intense moment of release and connection.
- Chapter 11: The Tense Kiss. A scene featuring intense kissing and high emotional stakes, often driven by the political and personal tension between the characters.
- Chapter 12: Further Intensification. This chapter continues the intense kissing and palpable tension, though it does not cross into a fully explicit scene.
- Chapter 18: A Moment of Escape. A steamy interaction, providing a brief respite from the constant threat of the war and the dangerous secrets held by the Dragon Riders.
- Chapter 24: The Build-Up. This chapter acts as a direct, steamy prelude to the main event in Chapter 25, featuring heavy kissing and building sexual tension that leads to the first major open-door scene.
- Chapter 28: Post-Scene Connection. A shorter, intimate scene that focuses on the emotional and physical aftermath of the Chapter 25 encounter, reinforcing their bond.
- Chapter 48: The Final Prelude. This is the direct, steamy build-up to the climactic scene in Chapter 49. It features high-intensity kissing and foreplay that seamlessly transitions into the full open-door chapter that follows.
The Spice Level: How Onyx Storm Compares to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame
Many readers have noted that while Onyx Storm maintains a high level of romantic tension, the overall frequency of explicit scenes is slightly moderated compared to the first two books in the Empyrean Series. The novel contains 66 chapters, with a total of nine "spicy" chapters, only two of which are full, explicit open-door sex scenes. This moderation is a deliberate choice that reflects the escalating plot and the emotional maturity of the main characters, Violet and Xaden.
The "spice" in Onyx Storm is less about sheer volume and more about emotional depth. The intimate scenes are strategically placed to serve the plot, usually occurring during moments of intense emotional need, conflict resolution, or as a desperate attempt to grasp normalcy before a major, life-altering event. This makes the encounters feel earned and meaningful, rather than gratuitous. The focus remains on the complex dynamics of the Dragon Riders, the growing threat of the Venin, and the fate of the entire continent of Navarre.
In summary, if you are seeking the most intense, explicit moments of romance between Violet and Xaden, your essential skip list should focus on Chapter 25 and Chapter 49. For those who enjoy the slow-burn build-up and the passionate kissing, Chapters 3, 24, and 48 will also be highly satisfying additions to your reading journey through the latest installment of the Empyrean Series.
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