Bought By the Masked Cantor

I’ve been worshipped. I’ve never been loved.

For centuries, I’ve lived alone. Cantors are rare, and we can’t stay together. Our song poisons minds. People kneel, build cults around us, and forget they ever wanted anything but to please us.
I’ve imagined a companion for longer than I care to admit. Someone of flesh and blood to sit next to me, speak to me because that is what she wishes. A woman whose affection I could trust.

A foolish dream. I’ve never allowed myself to hope.
Then, one night, the people above lower an offering into my den. A bride with pale hair, bright eyes, and skin marred by deep scars, yet beautiful enough to make me ache. I dread the moment my voice will steal her mind.

My first words to her are that I will not harm her. She shakes her head, points at her ear, and tells me: “I’m deaf.”
She can’t hear me. She can’t be compelled by my song. Whatever she thinks of me, whatever she feels, belongs to her.
I promise myself I will free her.
Too soon I discover it was easy to be unselfish when I had nothing I wanted to keep.

Welcome to the bride market! Monsters bid, you choose.
This is a spin-off series to Arranged Monster Mates. We’re back on Alia Terra with steamy stories told by your favorite paranormal romance authors: Eva Brandt, Lia Frost, Cara Wylde, and Ava York.