Free MINE! [New World Book 8] by C.L. Scholey

across their flesh. The greater the touch, the more lively the light show.
    Becky felt her face burn when the couple joined in a heated embrace, illuminated, exposed and so breathtaking. Their lips sizzled red as they pressed together, their heat for one another so intense. She sucked in her breath as for a second their faces lit up, burning from desire. Passion on display while their actions told their story. She wanted to clear her throat to let them know they weren’t alone, but there were no sounds she realized. Becky was there and yet not. She was spellbound and unable to move to pull from the trance. She wasn’t afraid, simply mystified.
    The couple floated as they loved, lifting higher, turning as they ground against one another. Tongues entwined, both beings were completely bald, thin, but heart stopping the way they gave of themselves. They were loving each other, their radiant glances bathed each lover’s face, shining their hopes and dreams. She could see the female’s question of children hover in the air, and the male laughed with his face, all smiles and nodded. Their happiness made Becky smile in delight. Her heart filled for them, young love, so sweet and innocent.
    Beauty danced before her eyes as they loved. She filled with joy, hearing in her mind their laughter, their adoration. Magic, she witnessed the magic of becoming one with another. The female suddenly looked past Becky, terrified, and the couple crashed to the ground, parting. The male raised his hands in supplication, as if pleading for the female’s life, but she clutched her midriff and writhed for a moment before falling and settling; she lay still. All of her beautiful colors faded. Grey, she became the hated grey Becky loathed, making her breath catch. The little elfin creature’s ghost moved from her body and went to sit in a far corner hovering above the ground. Lost and alone she wept in silence.
    The male raced to her prone body, not seeing the ghost she became and he gathered her close. Florescent green tears trailed down his cheeks. Becky knew his lover, his life was dead. The sheer weight of a heavy stone settled in her belly. Tragedy consumed her.
    Anger engulfed the male; he jumped to his feet to face five males. The largest looked smug until the angered grieving male gripped a band at his wrist and tugged. The grieving male and the band hit the ground at the same time while an older male screamed in agony. Becky knew he was in anguish by his open-mouthed expression. The older male raced to the young male’s side and it was his turn to gather a loved one to his chest. The emotion of heart wrenching loss assaulted Becky. The pain in her chest shot daggers through her sides. She wanted to scream in outraged disbelief. The young male was dead, he had reached for the female’s hand as he fell, and in death they touched for the last time.
    Becky stood waiting for his ghost to rise, and when he did her heart leapt. When he rose from his body, he didn’t go to the female. Instead, he went to the other side of the room, slumped and he, too, sobbed. They didn’t see one another. Why can’t they see each other? Becky wanted to scream at them to turn and face the other. She pressed a hand to her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably at the image. Love and death had hit her in the face and heart when she never expected it. The blow was recoiling.
    “Becky?”
    A hard grip to her arm and Becky was yanked to Huck’s chest. The scene before her faded until she stared at a blank wall. With an awkward motion, his hand trailed up and down over her head and hair. She clung to him as she sobbed.
    “Why can’t other people allow love when it comes?” she whispered gaining control. “They were so happy.”
    “Males and females of that species aren’t allowed to be together. It’s taboo. Males with males and females with females. It’s been like that forever. Males give birth to males and females to females. The father chose his son’s mate;