Rose in Chains
by Julie Soto
Contents
Epilogue
Overview
Mallow fails to secure a bond with the ancient dragon and vows to eliminate the heir before trying again. In the dragon’s cave, Rory—healed and hidden for months—receives word from allies and chooses to leave to find his sister. The dragon reluctantly lets Rory go despite their growing connection.
Summary
The epilogue opens with the dragon landing at a former master’s castle, where Mallow orders obedience and promises a future bond once the heir is eliminated. The dragon distrusts Mallow’s intentions and resists, then flies back to her mountain nest, determined to avoid human entanglements.
At the cave, the dragon finds two humans—the rust-haired man and a one-armed woman—visiting again. From the shadows, Rory emerges, greets them, and examines a slip of paper indicating they have made contact with allies. The dragon recognizes that Rory intends to leave.
Rory thanks the dragon for healing and sheltering him, explaining he must reach his sister and invoking the dragon’s memory of sibling bonds. The dragon reflects on her mistaken near-bond with Mallow’s magic and her unexpected affinity for Rory, realizing he cannot stay.
Accepting the choice, the dragon nudges Rory forward and clears his path. The one-armed woman urges departure, and Rory promises he hopes to introduce the dragon to his sister, who might untangle the mystery of a magician forging a dragon’s mate. The dragon scoffs at the mention, hides her attachment, and launches into the sky to forget the rose prince she is drawn to.
Who Appears
- The DragonAncient, independent dragon; resists Mallow’s forced bond and reluctantly releases Rory after sheltering and healing him.
- RoryBriony’s brother; recovered in the dragon’s care and chooses to leave with allies to find his sister.
- MallowMagician antagonist; threatens the dragon, vows to kill the heir, and presses for a bond she cannot secure.
- Rust-haired manAlly, kinder than his father; brings a contact note and helps escort Rory from the cave.
- One-armed womanAlly accompanying the rust-haired man; urges Rory to depart and rejoin his cause.