Beyond the Veil: Rogues of magic collection, #1

By Tiffany Shand

Step through the veil and into a world alive with magic and danger. In this anthology, you'll encounter enchanted portals that lead to realms filled with druids, sorcerers, and fierce dragons. Each story weaves together the fabric of adventure and mystery, where monsters lurk in shadows and heroes rise against the odds.

Can you brave the unknown? Will you dare to face the creatures that lie beyond?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tiffany Shand
• Release date: Jan 20, 2025
• ISBN: 9798230828280

Tiffany Shand

Tiffany Shand was born in Essex, UK and started writing short stories when she was a child. She has always done writing in one form or another and started writing novels in her early teens. She writes both non-fiction and fiction, but mostly fantasy and paranormal romance. After doing a creative writing course in her early 20s she is now a freelance writer and professional proofreader. Tiffany lives in Essex with her two spoiled cats and one very nutty hamster.

Book preview

BEYOND THE MIST

TIFFANY SHAND

​Chapter 1

Silindra knew she would die if she didn’t get out of Lulrien and flee from her husband. Her husband planned to kill her. She had given him an heir. A girl child which he hadn’t seemed pleased about at first. She thought he had got over his initial disappointment since he seemed to adore their daughter now.

She and her husband, Draco, had never had an amicable relationship. He had chosen her to be his bride even though she wasn’t a wyvern. His race had been cursed to forever remain in their human forms and most of them had lost their powers. That was why he had chosen her. Although she had been raised by the fae, she knew she wasn’t one of them, but she still had magic.

She knew her husband better than he thought. And often listened in on his conversations. That was how she knew he wanted her dead and his plans for their child.

Ranelle was only three. Draco had grown tired of Silindra. She hadn’t given him any more children and had outlived her usefulness. Silindra even offered to help him in his attempts to break the curse. But he dismissed her and hit her for daring to question him.

She would have to be careful, and she needed a plan for her escape.

But first she had to talk to the seer and find out what she knew.

Come, Ranelle. We need to go. She picked her daughter up and carried her out of the massive tree that the wyverns called home. Ranelle clutched at Silindra’s long brown hair.

For the most part she could come and go freely. But Draco no doubt had people watching her, though. She always felt eyes watching her. Although that wasn’t unusual given the dryads and other fae that inhabited the forests around Lulrien.

Silindra went out to the stables to fetch her horse. The wyverns despised using horses, but it was the easiest way to travel, since most wyverns only had limited power. Their power had waned over the centuries since the Archdruid had bound them in human form.

She climbed into the saddle and placed Ranelle in front of her.

They rode deeper into the forest and headed to the ruins of an old temple. Sometimes the seer appeared either here, or in the glade. The fae revered this woman and called her Great Guardian. No one seemed to know who she really was or where she came from. Just that she appeared when people came seeking advice.

Even Draco had come to ask her how to end the curse several times. Each time he returned more furious because the Great Guardian always gave him the same answer. That he was not the one who would break the curse.

Silindra pushed her way through the trees. Up ahead stood the stone temple. An ancient oak tree stood inside it, but the temple had been abandoned generations ago. The circular structure looked almost out of place among the mist that surrounded the heavy trees.

Fauna, Thistle, Silindra called out to some of the sprites she knew who lived in the surrounding trees. Glowing orbs appeared as bright lights flew out of the tree. Good to see you, my friends. Silindra smiled as she dismounted her horse. Could you watch my daughter for a while?

Of course we will. Thistle giggled.

Silindra set Ranelle on the ground. I won’t be long. She kissed her daughter’s head and walked off into the temple. Silindra knelt in front of the great tree. Great Guardian, I seek wisdom and guidance. Please join me in this sacred space.

Light glowed around the tree and orbs shot out of it.

Silindra bowed her head in reverence.

Silindra. Rise, child. The Great Guardian’s warmth washed over her.

My lady. Silindra looked up.

The Great Guardian reclined on a large log. Her long dark hair fell past her shoulders. Her silver-blue eyes held the wisdom of centuries. Her long lilac robe glistened like silk. I wondered when you would seek my counsel again. What is it you wish to know?

Silindra hesitated. I... She had so many questions and didn’t know where to begin. My husband plans to kill me, she said finally. I need to know how to go beyond the mist. Leaving is the only way I can escape him.

The mists that surrounded Lulrien had been there for decades, since the time of great darkness when the Archdruid had come and killed thousands. He had pulled magic from the land itself. The lands around their realm remained shrouded in toxic mist.

The Great Guardian’s serene expression faded. You cannot take your daughter beyond the mist.

Silindra’s mouth fell open. But – but I must. I won’t leave her alone with that tyrant. Please, Guardian. I need to know how to venture out of this realm. Draco wouldn’t follow us beyond the mists.

She knew full well Draco and others had entered the mist many times, but no one had been able to get through. Many had died trying.

Even if you venture through the mist, what makes you think the world outside will be safe? the Great Guardian asked.

Silindra’s shoulders slumped. Maybe she had been a fool to come here. To think the Great Guardian would help her. I don’t have a choice. If I stay in Lulrien, Draco will find me. I won’t leave my daughter behind.

The Guardian shook her head. Draco would let you go if you went beyond the mist. If you take Ranelle, he will never stop hunting you.

Silindra stood up and shook her head. I can’t leave my child.

You must. Ranelle belongs among her people. She has an important role to play in the future of the DeLorean.

Tears filled her eyes. But I can’t...

If you do not, you will die. That is your fate unless you venture beyond the mist.

She crumpled on the ground. There must be another way. I’d rather die than leave her with him.

Draco may be harsh but your daughter is strong. He will not harm her.

How can you know that? She cried. He beats me! All respect she had shown for the Guardian had long since faded.

Because he believes she will break the curse. Besides, she is his child, and he does care for her.

I won’t leave Ranelle here. She shook her head again.

Then you will die. Which would be a pity. This is the chance for you to finally have true freedom and to find out who you are. Don’t waste this opportunity.

Silindra fled. She had to get back to the home tree and plan her escape. Her mind raced as she ran. Why had she come here? Why had she been foolish enough to think the Guardian would help her?

Venture deep into the mists and find your way back to your people, the Guardian called after her. You can find the way. But it is a path you must walk alone.

​Chapter 2

Silindra rushed back home tree with Ranelle. She knew she had to hurry. Night would fall soon, and she had to leave under the cover of darkness. She packed a change of clothes for her and Ranelle, blankets, food and water. Only essential things. She knew she couldn’t weigh her horse down with unnecessary weight. The faster they moved, the better. The hardest part would be getting to the border and then onwards through the mist. What terrified her most was what Draco would do if he caught them.

The Guardian’s words rang through her mind again. You can find the way back to your people. But this is a path you must walk alone.

No, she wouldn’t leave her child. Ranelle needed her as much as Silindra needed her child.

And what had the Guardian meant when she said Silindra could find her way back to her people? She had no idea who her real people were. The wyverns had always been wary of her and so had the fae.

She swung her pack over her shoulder then picked up her sleeping daughter and glamoured both of them under her long heavy cloak.

Silindra glanced around to check the passageway was clear. Part of her had wondered if she should leave Draco a note but she decided against it. The longer he remained unaware of their departure the better.

The passageway appeared clear.

Silindra took a deep breath then crept out and headed away from the home tree.

She had given Ranelle a sleeping potion to ensure she wouldn’t wake up and alert anyone to their presence.

Hurrying down the passage, Silindra breathed a sigh of relief when she got to the entrance of the home tree.

Good, now she just had to get to the stables, get her mare and make a run for it.

Peering outside, she was surprised to find no guards around. Odd. Draco always had guards stationed near the tree. She had been prepared and brought along more sleeping potion to incapacitate them with.

Where had they gone?

Her heart pounded as she made a dash for the stables.

Something whizzed behind her.

Silindra bit back a scream as something struck her back and burned through her cloak. Good thing she had woven protective runes into it or that would have injured her.

She knew it had been a bolt of energy.

Woman, where do you think you’re going? Draco called out.

Gods, he knew what she planned. She didn’t have time to ponder how.

Somehow, she had to get to her mare and ride away or Draco would never let either of them go. He’d kill her and then Ranelle would be left alone.

No, she wouldn’t let that happen. Ranelle deserved a better life. Away from her father.

Silindra headed to the stable entrance and more bolts of energy came at her.

Draco ran in front of her, eyes blazing with fury. Woman, don’t you dare think you can take my child from me.

Ranelle is asleep in her bed. Silindra decided to feign ignorance and forced herself to calm down. She knew glamour magic far better than him. All he would see was her wearing a cloak. He wouldn’t see any sign of her pack, or any sign of Ranelle concealed underneath her cloak. I’m going for a ride. Or am I not allowed to do that now?

Draco grabbed her and ripped her cloak off her.

She winced as the fabric tore, and her glamour fell away. We are going for a ride, she insisted.

Give me my child, Draco demanded.

She’s my child too, and I won’t let you use her in your quest to overcome the Archdruid’s curse.

You will give her to me, or I will kill you, Draco growled.

Silindra gave a harsh laugh. You plan to kill me anyway. I knew your plan all along. I’m not useful to you anymore since I can’t give you any more children. But I won’t let my child be raised by you.

Draco held out his arms and Ranelle appeared in them.

No! Silindra cried out.

Kill her! Draco commanded.

Dark shapes appeared overhead. Two dragons. She knew Draco still had dealings with the realms beyond the mist. Somehow, he’d procured two dragons. No doubt in another one of his attempts to break the curse.

One of the beasts sent a plume of fire towards her.

Silindra made a run for Draco, but he vanished in a flash of light. No, this couldn’t happen. He couldn’t take her child from her.

She had been wrong. Draco had grown a lot more powerful than she had thought.

She couldn’t get Ranelle back. Not when he had a hold of her.

Fine, I’ll run, but he’s a fool to think I won’t come back for my child.

Silindra ran into the stables and scrambled onto the back of her mare. She urged the horse forward and prayed it wouldn’t bolt at the first sign of dragon fire. Horses were usually terrified of dragons.

The horse galloped away from Mirkwood. Trees blurred past them. The dragons continued to chase her. Hurling more blasts of fire at her.

Hurry, she told her mare. We need to get to the border.

She winced as flames set the trees ablaze. Forgive me, she thought to the dryads.

Her mare’s hooves pounded against the hard ground. Dust flew around them as they fled.

One of the dragons swooped down and lunged towards her.

Silindra raised her hand and hit the dragon with a bolt of blue energy.

The dragon roared and flew higher to avoid crashing into the trees.

The deeper they got into the forest, the thicker the canopy became. Silindra hoped that would prevent the dragons from sensing them. But dragons were fast and had keen senses. The moment they got out of the woods, they would be on her. Out in the open she wouldn’t be able to avoid their fire.

Spirits, grant me safe passage through the mist, she prayed.

Maybe the Great Guardian had been right. Perhaps thinking of taking Ranelle with her had been foolish. Draco wouldn’t let her go. His daughter meant a lot to him. That much Silindra did know.

She’d have to find a way back. But was it possible? Could someone return if they entered the mist? Such a thing had never been done before.

Tree branches snagged at her long white dress as the forest enveloped them and became so thick there was barely room to move.

Silindra raised her hand to force the trees to parts but hesitated. The less magic she used the better, or the dragons would sense it.

Friends, Silindra called to the dryads. Will you grant me safe passage through these woods? She waited a few moments.

No murmur of voices sounded. No faces appeared out of the trees.

Were the dryads here unfriendly, or did they just ignore requests for help?

Wood creaked and groaned as the trees moved apart and a clear path opened for her.

Thank you, friends, Silindra murmured.

Her horse’s hooves pounded as they raced down the path. Her heart pounded in time to it. Silindra’s mind raced.

What if she couldn’t get through the mist? The Great Guardian’s information hadn’t explained how to get through. Or what she should do if she got stuck in there. Now she wished she had asked more questions.

No one had been through the mist in centuries.

Silindra pulled her mare to a halt as they neared the edge of the forest. Glancing back, she hesitated. Although she knew she had to leave, part of her didn’t want to. Could she leave her child behind? Would Ranelle really be safe with her gone? Would Ranelle even remember her when Silindra came back for her?

Forgive me, Ranelle. Spirits, keep her safe for me. Protect her from her father’s cruelty.

I will come back to you, my child, she vowed.

Silindra turned and urged her mare forward again. Up ahead, the unforgiving mist hung over the land like a heavy cloak.

It was now or never.

​Chapter 3

H urry! Silindra urged her horse as they darted out of the trees and galloped across the clearing.

Dragon fire rained down on them as the two dragons circled overhead. One of them swooped down and lunged towards them again.

Faster! she yelled and urged the mare onward.

The moment they neared the mist, the horse screeched to a halt and reared up in alarm.

Silindra clung to the horse so it wouldn’t throw her off. Go, she snapped. We have to get through the mist.

The horse bucked and whinnied.

She couldn’t waste time here and knew she had to get moving or the dragons would kill her. Then there would be no one left to protect Ranelle.

Silindra slid from the horse’s back and grabbed the reins. Come. She tugged on the reins, but the horse refused to budge.

Curses. Another blast of dragon fire hit the ground behind her.

Deciding she had nothing left to lose, she dove into the mist.

The mist swallowed her up until the land behind her and the sounds of