Aria's POV
Joshua delivered the news. "Not one of the nine territories has withdrawn."
A small sense of relief passed through me. The nine territories had trusted me. That trust mattered more than anyone could think.
"What did they expect?" Noah asked. "That nine territories would willingly give up their independence because someone sent them a threatening letter?"
Ronan's lips curved slightly. "They expected fear to do what diplomacy couldn't."
Damon pushed away from the table. "Then they miscalculated."
Joshua cleared his throat. "The old Council has already made its next move."
The warmth in my chest vanished. "What did they do?"
He hesitated. "They've imposed an economic blockade."
Silence filled the room.
I stared at him. "Explain."
"They've frozen the resource quotas of ev
