In the past couple of weeks, I received a dozen questions about the possibility of Theophanie being Violet’s aunt. Is it possible? There is clearly a relationship between Theo and Lilith, and Theo admits that herself.

Many of you theorized that Theophanie was Lilith’s sister and one of the reasons why Asher rushed to Unnbriel to dedicate Violet. Is there a relationship between the two, and could it be that Violet might have killed her aunt one way or another?

What do we know so far?

Theophanie is our main antagonist in Onyx Storm. She is a venin with silver hair and a faded tattoo on her forehead, who is desperately trying to get Violet to turn venin.

Violet initially assumes that Theophanie is a lightning wielder with years of experience and a deadly killer.

However, Violet realizes that Theophanie is not a lightning wielder but a storm wielder, just like Lilith Sorrengail.

Since magic likes all things in balance, Violet assumes that Theophanie is the answer to her mother, but Theophanie objects, stating that Lilith was the answer to her.

Could Theo have been related to Lilith?

“She’s their answer to my mother.” Saying it out loud snaps the shock from my system, and my mind begins to race. Only Aimsir’s exhaustion or a physical illness weakened Mom. Not even the strongest wind wielder could diminish Mom’s storms. “She was the answer to me,” Theophanie hisses, and the clouds start to swirl. The tornado. My chest clenches. My mother had never accomplished that particular feat. No wonder I hadn’t recognized Theophanie for what she is—I’d never met a more powerful storm wielder than Mom. Until now.”

The following part is probably what drove most of you to think that Theophanie and Lilith were related:

“Your mother knew at your age that she was no match for me. That’s why she hid behind those wards. Perhaps you should have followed her example.”

This suggests that Theo has known Lilith since she was a cadet. It’s natural to assume that there has been a relationship. After all, it is usually highly unlikely for a cadet to meet a venin. Usually, riders see venin in combat years after they graduate, right? So how would Lilith and Theo have met before Lilith’s graduation?

The simple answer is that they are somehow related. But could that work?

Such a delicious and tempting theory, but I respectfully disagree. I do not think Theo and Lilith were related. Or not in the way we imagine.

Evidence against the theory:

“There are only a few of us who are faster,” Theophanie replies, walking along the carcass of the wyvern, grazing the ridges at its back as she saunters toward us. “Older, too.”

Only a few of us who are older, too. That implies old. Especially because in some of the nightmares Violet and Xaden share, venin talk about having been waiting centuries for someone with their power. Centuries… that’s a very long time. Theo is a maven. She is old.

“Has to. Magic requires balance, right?” “It’s the oldest rule there is.” Theophanie walks out from behind the carcass of a wyvern. “But once a century or so we get a chance to skew the scales in our favor, and I will prove myself to him this time.”

Again, once a century or so, they get the chance to skew the scales in their favor. And this time, Theo says, she will prove herself. This time. It implies that last time (last century) she failed. This venin lady is ooooold.

And there is more too.

It’s roughly year 600 right now in Navarre, right? But in year 200, we get the following law:

“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.”

Seeing as Theo had been dedicated, it is fair to assume that she completed her dedication around two centuries ago! We also know that Violet has not been dedicated, only touched by Dunne.

Why did Asher try to dedicate Violet?

Seeing as Lilith somehow got to know Theo during her time as only a cadet, I think it’s fair to assume that she and Asher had very lengthy conversations about the future of their children. One of which was probably how to counter the power of Theo when she would inevitably come for her. What is curious, though, is why Violet? Why not try and dedicate Mira and Brennan too? Are they dedicated or touched so they are protected against others?

Was it because Violet was born frail? And so they decided to give her… a boost? There are endless questions about Lilith and Asher and their lives as young cadets and newly graduated riders.

For now, the only thing I’m certain of is that Theophanie is not related to Lilith. Or at least, not in a way we imagine. But then again, who knows? Seeing as we do not know Theophanie’s surname, maybe she had been a Sorrengail… just a very old great-great-aunt or something. At this point, nothing is impossible.