Three months had passed since Ezra's coronation, and the transition from fugitive to ruler had been both swift and absolute.
Every day was like a new test and was filled with new responsibilities, from governance to trade, to diplomacy, and ensuring that his territory flourished.
One of the more surprising aspects of his new life had been the cultural differences within the Monarchy.
Unlike the Society, where human blood was forbidden completely and punishable by death, the Monarchy had established a legal and regulated human blood trade.
Licensed winemakers collected human blood under strict conditions, fermenting it into a delicacy that was enjoyed by vampires across the territory. It was a controlled economy, one that made sure humans were never hunted for sport, or anything.
At first, Ezra had been skeptical. The idea of drinking human blood as wine felt disturbingly indulgent, even by vampire standards.
