Chapter 56: Beginning of the end

As soon as Angelica woke up to the sight of the woman she loved in her bed, she beamed and turned around to kiss her. Angelica ran desperate hands over Raven's body, searching for some flicker of passion to rekindle. But Raven turned away, lost in melancholy thoughts, heart too burdened for physical intimacy. Sensing her distance, Angelica caught her face between both hands, forcing Raven to meet her wounded gaze.

"What's wrong, princess?" Angelica asked her love, cradling her face between her hands. 

Raven bit her lip and tried to fight the pain in her heart, "nothing, my love."

Angelica reeled back as though struck. "Uh-uh, it's the tournament, isn't it?" There was no denying the elephant in the room and the pending battle that loomed over all of them.