Curate, connect, and discover
Something that is so tragic about Iron Flame is Tairn and Sgaeyl’s relationship. And though I am sad for Sgaeyl after Xaden became venin, I am devastated for Tairn.
He valued his mating bond with Sgaeyl more than she did.
Tairn kept Xaden’s secret from Violet in Fourth Wing, about Aretia and the venin and the rebellion. He kept it for Sgaeyl. He told Violet that the only bond more sacred than a dragon and its rider was a dragon and its mate.
But Sgaeyl kept Xaden’s secret about his second signet from Tairn.
I’m not saying Sgaeyl values Xaden more than Tairn, or that Tairn loves Sgaeyl more than she loves him (if dragons love?), but if that isn’t the worst betrayal of the series so far, I don’t know what is.