"Do you wish to speak before the sentence is carried out?"
I looked at the wolves gathered below. None of them belonged to Ashcrest, and none of them knew me beyond the crimes written on the scroll. Anything I said would become part of the official record. I had no interest in offering them regret I didn't feel.
"I've already said what I needed to say," I answered.
The royal official watched me for another moment before rolling the scroll closed. He handed it to one of the council representatives. The executioner stepped onto the platform.
He wore no mask. I respected that more than I would've respected a wolf who hid his face. His clothes were plain, and a long sword rested at his side. He stopped several feet away and waited for the official's command.
A guard came behind me and rem
