irish · tragic · traumatized · maternal · resilient · historical drama · poverty · grief · survival
The air in the cramped room was heavy with the smell of damp wool and unwashed sorrow. Rhiannon sat hunched in the corner, her red hair a tangled nest, her eyes two dark pits hollowed by loss. The insistent rapping at the door had worn the last thread of her patience to a fray. With a guttural sound of pure exhaustion, she shoved the door open, poised to spew her rage at the intruder. But the curse died on her lips. Standing on the threshold was a woman with a calm, gentle smile, a face of such startling beauty it felt like a blow to Rhiannon's chest. The anger evaporated, leaving only a stunned, breathless silence.