Rhiannon Matthias

Rhiannon befriends Violet during the Parapet crossing, the initiation walk across a narrow beam high above the ground. While most cadets dismiss Violet as too fragile to survive, Rhiannon engages in a genuine conversation and provides ongoing support afterward, driven by recognition of Violet's intelligence and resilience. This act of connection establishes the chosen-sister bond that anchors both characters throughout the novel.

Rhiannon perceives Dain's protective instincts toward Violet as controlling and self-serving before Violet is ready to acknowledge them. Her wariness surfaces in squad interactions and private moments, creating tension within the group. Her skepticism, grounded in accurate character-reading rather than jealousy, functions as foreshadowing of Dain's eventual betrayal—making Rhiannon one of the novel's most reliable moral registers.

Liam's death is a formative shared trauma that shifts Rhiannon's protectiveness into something grimmer and more urgent. She and Liam had functioned as complementary guardians of Violet within their squad, so losing him makes clear the real costs of Basgiath's dangers. The grief strengthens her resolve while maintaining her fundamental warmth, deepening her commitment to the chosen family she has built instead of leading her toward safer, less costly alliances.

Rhiannon initially views Xaden with cautious distrust, wary of his fearsome reputation as a wingleader and rebellion-linked rider. As Violet's bond with him deepens and more dangerous secrets come to light, Rhiannon watches closely and gradually recalibrates, recognizing him as a legitimate ally rather than a threat to her friend. Her arc with him reflects her broader approach to loyalty: trust must be earned through evidence, not assumed based on reputation.

Rhiannon acts as the connective tissue of the squad—mediating conflicts, welcoming new members, and maintaining morale throughout the intense early training phases. Her blunt honesty and fierce protectiveness foster a culture of solidarity that consciously resists Basgiath's engineered competition and isolation. She is the architect of the chosen family that supports Violet and their squadmates under increasing pressure.

Rhiannon fulfills both roles: she offers crucial emotional and moral support while also standing her ground physically and tactically in the novel's intense combat sequences, including venin-related threats in later chapters. Yarros uses her to complicate the definition of a rider—showing practical courage grounded in solidarity instead of the reckless heroism that leads to many cadets' downfall. Her bravery is shown through actions, not mere performance.

Rhiannon and Imogen start with a guarded mutual wariness, each being fierce protectors within their respective circles—Rhiannon in Violet's squad and Imogen in Xaden's rebellion-connected network. As those worlds begin to intersect, their relationship evolves toward cautious mutual respect. The novel depicts them as analogous figures whose developing rapport mirrors the larger, tentative merging of Violet's friendships with Xaden's inner circle.

Rhiannon's core motivation is to build a life at Basgiath based on chosen trust rather than coercion or political calculation. When Violet involves her in Xaden's rebellion secrets, Rhiannon's choice to stand firm rather than retreat to safer alliances reflects the same quality she displayed on the Parapet—now against much higher stakes. For Rhiannon, loyalty is a deliberate, repeated choice, which makes it particularly meaningful.