Princess of the Ravens
Benjamin had no recollection of his real mother. She had died in birthing him—a fact which his eleven older brothers never allowed him to forget. His father could be equally cruel when he, the king of seven counties, paid the boys any attention at all. The brothers muttered scornfully when their father married Hermione, who would be their new queen, but Benjamin loved the woman like a mother.
Beautiful Hermione with hair bright as fire patted tears from her cheeks. When young Benjamin observed her thus, he asked why she cried.
“Oh, Heaven!” The woman sobbed, falling to her knees and wrapping her arms around his small shoulders. “I have no confessor, and I must reveal my sins: I am with child, Benjamin!”
“Is that a sin?” the boy asked in earnest. He recogniz
