So, About That “Onyx Storm” Sex Position . . .

If romantasy novels are taking over your FYP, you're not alone. With the release of Rebecca Yarros' highly anticipated "Onyx Storm," the third book in The Empyrean series, readers couldn't wait to read the steamy sex scenes between Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson. But now that it's here, everyone on TikTok wants to know how to pull off that armchair sex position from chapter 49.

Because our favorite dragon riders love having sex anywhere but in a bed (we all remember the throne scene from "Iron Flame"), it's no surprise that "Onyx Storm" is just as spicy, with Violet and Xaden constantly on the move searching for a cure for Venin. (For those who need a refresher, Xaden became Venin at the end of book two when he channeled power from the earth to help save Violet and the rest of Basgiath.)

In "Onyx Storm," Xaden's fear of losing control puts a damper on his sex life with Violet at first, making the armchair sex scene even more delicious. However, between the dialogue, sexy signets (hello, shadow binds), and the general frenzy over finally getting a full-on Xaden and Violet sex scene, readers (myself included) are having a hard time breaking down what really went down in that armchair.

To help, Arielle Zadok, a certified intimacy coordinator and sex coach, breaks down the "Onyx Storm" sex position. Here are her tips on how to recreate it yourself.

Arielle Zadok is a certified intimacy coordinator, sex coach, and head mistress at The Sexy Directory, a hub offering sex education and pleasure resources.

While readers seem zeroed in on the armchair portion of this sex scene, Zadok breaks down the scene into four different positions to simplify things:

After Xaden and Violet kick things off with some kissing and touching against the wall, Xaden "sits in the armchair and brings Violet over him in a straddle with each of her knees on either side of his hips," Zadok explains. "They do some non-penetrative grinding here before he places each of her knees on the arms of the armchair, then lifts her even higher to bring her pelvis to his face." Yup, this is an epic oral-sex position.

Once Violet orgasms from oral, Xaden shimmies underneath her (which could be more awkward than hot in real life, to be honest). From there, he moves into a variation of the doggy-style sex position. "He moves behind her so her back is facing him, bringing her right knee onto the seat of the chair, leaving her left knee on the arm," Zadok says. "Then, he brings his left knee onto the seat with his right leg acting as a stabilizer on the ground," Zadok says. This is where he penetrates her — most likely vaginally, but you could also do anally — from behind.

Finally, the couple moves to the dresser for a final push (no pun intended). In a variation of a standing missionary position, "he leans forward on the dresser for support and has his legs in a squatting position," Zadok adds, while Violet wraps her legs around him "as an anchor for thrusting."

While we can't all date sexy dragon riders, in 2025, it doesn't seem too unrealistic to bone like it's the end of the world. However, recreating all four steps in this "Onyx Storm" scene isn't necessary to get you and your partner off. That said, if you want to, make sure you're not taking it too seriously. "All bodies are different in their strength, mobility, desire, and sensation, so you can take the root of these and play around until you find a sweet spot," Zadok suggests.

If oral sex in an armchair sounds a bit ambitious to start with, "try it on a bed first," Zadok says. (This would then become face-sitting.) If doggy-sex on a chair isn't doing it for you, try it on the floor. And if having sex up against a dresser is uncomfortable or you don't have the leg strength to squat while supporting your partner, try switching up the surface. Experiment with missionary by using a table or counter so the surface can do the heavy lifting while you focus on pleasure.

The truth is, anyone can recreate these positions depending on strength, flexibility, and mobility, but "most of these positions are not all that comfortable and sound a lot sexier than they actually feel," Zadok says.

While "Onyx Storm" has no shortage of fun and flirty sex scenes, what makes them so hot is how connected Xaden and Violet are. They are in constant communication telling each other what they like and what they want, and they aren't ashamed to lose control.

"Whether we're reading a BDSM scene, a scene with two characters who are crazy about each other, or a scene like this one where magical powers come out in moments of deep pleasure, what makes these scenes so visceral is how open, primal, and free the characters are," Zadok says.

At the end of the day, whether you and your partner are wanting to try a new sex position like this one from "Onyx Storm," dirty talking, or role playing, make sure you're communicating what you want and what feels good to you. The deeper level of intimacy and sharing alone will bring something new to the bedroom — regardless of if you have an armchair.

Meg Rotter (she/her) is a freelance writer and marketing professional based in New York City. She specializes in relationship, entertainment, and food content, with bylines at Cosmopolitan and Eat This, Not That.