Romantasy
All the Couples in the ‘Fourth Wing’ Universe, Ranked
Major spoilers ahead for Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm ahead!
If you’ve been lost in Rebecca Yarros’ world of Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, you know that it’s not just about dragons, battles, and heart-pounding moments—it’s also about the fierce, fiery, and oh-so-swoonworthy couples who make our hearts race and our emotions swirl. From childhood friends turned rivals to slow-burn romances and explosive connections, the Fourth Wing series is packed with relationships that’ll leave you breathless. So grab your tissues (and maybe a fan) because we’re diving into every coupling that makes The Empyrean series unforgettable.
Who’s got the best love story? The most intense chemistry? The sweetest slow burns? We’ve ranked all the couples in the Fourth Wing universe, from the ones who make you ache for more to those who might have you questioning your own relationship goals. Whether it’s the undeniable spark of opposites attract, the emotional depth of friendships turning to love, or the dragons who show us what true loyalty looks like, one thing’s for sure—these couples will stay with you long after you close the books.
Who’s your favorite couple in The Empyrean series? Let us know in the comments!
12. Violet Sorrengail & Halden Tauri
If there were a spot worse than last place, we’d stick this pairing there with a dragon-sized thud. Violet never tried to pass herself off as a blushing virgin at the start of Fourth Wing — she was always refreshingly blunt about her past, brushing it off with a “not worth talking about.” And then… Onyx Storm drops Halden Tauri into the mix, and suddenly things start looking a little more complicated.
Halden is the actual Crown Prince of Braevick — and big brother to Aaric “Cam” Graycastle — and he is more than happy to pick things back up with Violet, much to Xaden’s very visible dismay. (And ours, if we’re being honest.)
But Violet? She shuts that right down.
Turns out, their past wasn’t some fairy-tale first love. Halden might’ve been her first… but he was also a cheater. Violet walked in on him with his tutor, of all people. While he may be all crown-and-confidence now, the betrayal left a mark.
In the end, Halden is a relic of Violet’s past — and one she (and we!) are more than happy to leave behind. Well… everyone except Halden, who’s clearly still catching feelings. Tragic.
11. Catriona Cordella & Xaden Riorson
This couple was a slow-burning bomb dropped off-page — but its shockwaves sent ripples well into Iron Flame. Catriona Cordella (Cat) is one of the more polarizing figures in the series — second in line to the Poromish throne, niece of Count Tecarus, and ambitious as hell. She was betrothed to Xaden Riorson as part of a strategic alliance, a marriage clause that kicked in on her 20th birthday.
They were engaged for nine months until Xaden broke it off — not-so-coincidentally around the time Violet stepped into his life. Cat did not take this well. But despite the claws-out tension with Violet, it wasn’t about love. When Violet assumes Cat is just a woman scorned, Cat shuts her down with the unforgettable: “You think I’m so petty that I’d attack another woman over love?”
No, Cat wants the crown, not a heart. She had every intention of ruling Tyrrendor beside Xaden, and she is furious that Violet disrupted the political power play. That said, it’s heavily implied — no, confirmed — that Cat and Xaden were intimate. Very intimate. “I taught him that thing with his tongue,” Cat tells Violet, all smug and lethal. Excuse us while we scream into a pillow.
And then there’s the moment during their brutal showdown when Violet realizes, “He trained both of us.” Chills. Absolute chills. So, while this pairing was more strategy than swoon, it’s safe to say it left an impact — emotionally, physically, and politically. But Xaden’s heart? That’s not up for grabs. That belongs solely to Violet.
10. Sloane Mairi & Dain Aetos
Let the record show: This pairing isn’t canon… yet. But the tension? The narrative breadcrumbs? The vibes? They’re undeniable. There’s no official romantic entanglement between Sloane and Dain, but if you squint just right — and maybe tilt your head a little — it’s hard not to see the storm brewing between them.
Sloane, fierce and furious, has made it no secret her hatred for Dain Aetos. She blames him for Liam’s death — and to be fair, the mind-reading and tattling-to-General-papa thing didn’t win him many fans. Once she lets go of her anger toward Violet, all that simmering rage is redirected at Dain.
But here’s where it gets interesting:
Many readers — okay, many of us — can’t help but notice how much Sloane and Dain mirror Violet and Xaden. There’s the age gap, the power imbalance, the Navarrian loyalty vs. rebellion dynamic. Dain’s always been desperate to measure up to Xaden, and Sloane is often seen as a “baby Violet” for her fire, her strength, and her relentless sense of justice.
In Iron Flame, Dain moves her wing — just like Xaden did to Violet in Fourth Wing. A deliberate echo? A tease of what’s to come? We’re watching, Rebecca.
Then there’s that electric moment at the end of Onyx Storm, when Brennan needs power to heal Mira — and Sloane has to draw from Dain. He pushes her, challenges her, and doesn’t coddle her despite her fear. And when she takes his power — a lot of it — he trusts her not to kill him, even with all the hate still burning between them. That kind of trust? That kind of tension? You don’t write that by accident.
So, are we heading toward enemies-to-lovers? Will these two broken, complicated people be forced to face each other in a new light — perhaps in the shadows of grief, shared responsibility, and reluctant admiration? Yarros hasn’t confirmed anything. But in a recent interview, she acknowledged the fan buzz around these two — and let’s just say… she seemed very entertained. And us? We’ll just be over here, making mood boards, waiting for the sparks to catch fire.
9. Violet Sorrengail & Dain Aetos
Okay, fine. We have to talk about Violet and Dain. We know, we know — Dain’s on his redemption arc, and not everyone’s feeling it. But the tension between him and Violet? The unresolved feelings? It’s classic friends-to-lovers material, but with that signature romantasy twist — because it’s never that simple, is it?
Dain and Violet grew up together, childhood friends who clearly wanted more but couldn’t quite admit it. Reunited at Basgiath War College, there’s history and a lot of unspoken emotions brewing between them. However, Dain’s overprotectiveness starts to suffocate Violet’s independence, and their relationship hits a rough patch when they share a kiss that proves to Violet there’s no romantic spark between them. At least, not for her. Dain doesn’t take it as well, though, because he thought they were waiting for her to be a second year — and he was not thrilled about Xaden’s presence in her life.
Then, Dain’s controlling side surfaces in full force when he (allegedly) accidentally takes her memories and reports Xaden’s rebellious actions to his father, indirectly leading to Liam’s death. Yeah, that pretty much extinguishes whatever affection Violet had for him.
In Iron Flame and Onyx Storm, Dain does everything he can to earn back Violet’s forgiveness. He saves her from torture, attacks a superior officer, and has her back when it counts. But the damage done might be too much to repair. They were never meant to be lovers, but perhaps, just maybe, there’s still hope for them as friends.
8. Rhiannon Matthias & Sawyer Henrick
Let’s not pretend this didn’t happen. Rhiannon and Sawyer have a brief but unforgettable fling — a little post-Threshing celebration that Violet, of course, discovers the morning after. It’s a no-strings-attached situation, the kind of thing that’s more about mutual relief than love. Still, there’s no awkwardness, no drama, just a solid friendship that endures.
Violet confronts Rhiannon with a teasing “So, Sawyer, huh, Rhi?” and Rhiannon responds with a grin: “I felt like celebrating.” They don’t make a big deal of it, but we certainly don’t want to ignore it. It’s clear they’re not destined for the next epic love story, but they manage to enjoy the night and keep their friendship intact. Win-win.
7. General Lilith Sorrengail & Asher Sorrengail
Violet’s parents are an enigma, a pair that embodies logic and war (Lilith) and emotion and academia (Asher), but somehow made it work. Their love wasn’t a fairytale; it was built on passion, sacrifice, and mutual respect. Asher knew that Lilith’s first love was her dragon, not him, but that didn’t stop him from loving her deeply. Their connection was real, even if the details remain murky.
Lilith’s love for Asher is still something she carries with her, even after his death. Their relationship, though cut short by his sudden heart attack, was full of shared children and an unshakeable bond. It’s clear that Lilith will always carry that love, whether she was willing to admit it or not. We hope they’ve been reunited in whatever’s next.
6. Imogen Cardulo & Garrick Tavis
Okay, let’s talk about the potential couple we’re absolutely rooting for. Imogen and Garrick’s chemistry is subtle but undeniable. She’s usually the composed one, but when she’s around him? She gets flustered, protective, and just a little awkward. Classic signs of a crush.
In Onyx Storm, it’s even more obvious. Imogen’s jealousy when she sees Garrick with another woman? That’s not just friendship. And Garrick? He’s either oblivious or just keeping his distance, but he does show genuine concern for her when she’s in danger.
The moment when Quinn pushes Imogen to finally go for it is everything we needed to hear—before she tragically dies and breaks our hearts. Come on, Imogen! We need this ship to sail! Therefore, it brings us NO PLEASURE to share that some fans think Garrick has the hots for Mira?!
5. Catriona Cordella & Trager
Grab the tissues. This one hurts. Catriona and Trager start out as friends, then move to something more — something profound, forged in shared danger and quiet, late-night moments. Their bond is subtle but strong, and when they finally take it to the next level, it’s both sweet and bittersweet.
They only explore a romantic connection during the island-hopping trip and confirm as much to Violet and the others. But it doesn’t last, ugh. Trager dies during a mission on Zehyllna, an island where luck is everything. An arrow to the chest ends his life, and with it, Cat’s heart. His gryphon, Sila, dies with him.
The rawness of Cat’s grief is felt deeply. She collapses and sobs over her loss, forever changed by Trager’s death. Their relationship, though short-lived, was built on friendship, and it’s clear just how much Trager meant to her. When a relationship grows out of a friendship, it’s already a step ahead — but that makes the pain of loss even more intense.
4. Rhiannon Matthias & Tara
Okay, let’s pivot to something a little happier before we have a full breakdown. Now in the real world, it’s less likely that we fall in love at first sight and immediately enter a serious relationship until we get married. It happens for some people but definitely not the rest of us swiping away on apps. Rhiannon and Tara are far more realistic for us. At first, it’s just a casual, no-strings-attached fling. Sex is a way to relieve stress and keep things simple, but emotions begin to creep in over time.
Cue a break while they’re both busy being squad leaders. They’re girlbosses prioritizing their ambitions. But despite their opposing schedules, they care for each other deeply. Rhiannon explains, “Neither of us has enough time for the other. It sucks, but maybe it will ease up next year when neither of us are squad leaders anymore.”
When they find themselves part of the rebellion, it’s suggested that they may start exploring their relationship once again. Their connection is grounded in friendship, understanding, and the slow building of trust. It’s one of the strongest relationships in The Empyrean series, though it doesn’t quite have the intensity and passion of some of the other couples. Still, it’s one to root for.
3. Jesinia Neilwart & Sawyer Henrick
We first meet Jesinia through her friendship with Violet, as they trained together to enter the scribe quadrant. Sawyer is also friends with Violet and meets Jesinia when she begins helping them find texts related to the venin and First Six. Sawyer asks Violet to help him learn sign language so that he can communicate with Jesinia, expressing embarrassment that he doesn’t already know it.
Through their gradual communication, the pair get to know each other better. Their budding relationship is subtly highlighted, with the Iron Squad teasing Sawyer about his evident crush. Ridoc, another squad member, humorously teaches Sawyer inappropriate sign language phrases, adding lighthearted moments to their interactions.
Then Sawyer loses his leg in the Battle of Basgiath, and their new relationship encounters its first hurdles. They navigate the emotional and physical boundaries together, showing their perseverance in the face of everything.
2. Violet Sorrengail & Xaden Riorson
Ah, Violet and Xaden. They’re the heart of The Empyrean series, and for good reason. Their relationship starts with tension, mistrust, and plenty of secrets. They’re adversaries at first, but slowly, they grow into allies, and eventually, lovers. Their bond is rooted not only in their dragons’ connection but also in the battles they fight together. There’s a raw, real connection between them — a trust that no one else has ever offered either of them before.
What’s particularly interesting about the pair of them is rereading their scenes once you get additional information, like Xaden’s deal with her mom and his second signet! Xaden sees Violet in a way no one else does, and Violet trusts Xaden when no one else would. Their love is complicated, but undeniable. The chair scene? Absolutely iconic.
So why aren’t they in first place? Hear us out. Firstly, it’s impossible to say how much of their intense attraction is the result of their dragons’ emotions bleeding into their own. There’s a LOT of miscommunication between the pair, likely to move the plot forward, but it is frustrating to watch them go through the same loops together. Even after Xaden promises honesty, it’s on the condition that Violet asks the right questions. They are never completely honest with each other. Their love is also all-encompassing, often to their own detriment—aka the slight venin incident.
When external pressures test their bond, Xaden and Violet make it through, but by the tip of their fingers. We can’t help but wonder if their love burns so strongly that it will burn everything in its path, including both of them.
Also, are they married now? If so, is this really in Violet’s best interest? She can’t even remember her own wedding day!!! That being said, we love Xaden and Violet, and we simply can’t wait for the next book to get more of them.
1. Sgaeyl & Tairn
Yeah, first place goes to a pair of dragons. But you know what, it’s a book about dragons, and these two are iconic! Sgaeyl and Tairn are a mated pair, which means their bond runs deep, even more than to their riders. It’s the core of Violet and Xaden’s connection as well. Mated pairs can’t be separated for extended periods of time without experiencing pain and distress. But to top it off, it’s mentioned that they have the strongest mating bond seen in centuries—aka they’re the best couple! They’d literally die of heartbreak if the other perished.
Sgaeyl and Tairn are equals, despite him being older and bigger. Every dragon bows to Tairn except for Sgaeyl, and we love to see it. They bicker sometimes (like a long-married couple), but when it’s time for battle, they move as one. In Onyx Storm, their synergy is critical in major confrontations with venin and wyvern, especially when Violet and Xaden’s powers are pushed to the limit.
When Sgaeyl is injured, Tairn knows it immediately, and his concern overpowers everything else. He would burn down the world for her…and he literally could. They raise Andarna together like their own offspring, both trusting one another to keep her safe and well.
Tairn prioritizes their mating bond over his link to Violet. At the end of Fourth Wing, he admits to keeping things to protect Sgaeyl, including Xaden’s role in the rebellion. However, he is shocked to discover at the end of Iron Flame that Sgaeyl kept Xaden’s second signet from him.
Despite their size and ferocity, Tairn and Sgaeyl have a playful side. Tairn teases Violet about her feelings for Xaden, and Sgaeyl isn’t far behind with her own observations. You just know he’s discussing it with Sgaeyl as well, hearing about how Xaden wants her back.
Also, not to get too graphic, but Sgaeyl and Tairn seem to have no troubles in the dragon-equivalent of a bedroom—the clouds. Their steamy lovemaking sessions cause Violet and Xaden to receive second-hand thirstiness. They like to get it on for hours at a time. Their love is fierce, unconditional, and absolutely unbreakable. And honestly, how could they not be at the top of this list?
