Arrow Lake Goodbye is the hardest part

In her haste to make it to the borders, she hadn't realized the general was following, but her brother's nod had her sending a quick glance in his direction. She didn't necessarily need his protection, especially not from her family, but she was glad for his strong, steady presence all the same. It was similar to how she used to feel with Sia--safe and accepted. But now her brother only made her feel the opposite; she now only felt resentment and disappointment. She had trusted him more than anyone, and he had broken her heart. She was having trouble not yelling all her feelings at him, but she held back; it wouldn't help anyway. 

When he stepped towards her, she retreated away from him a few steps, ears flattening in anger, her message clear: don't touch me. She didn't think she could bear any affection from him; she was just too angry. 

When he spoke again, she didn't quite process the words at first. She stared at him, numb and afraid to let herself really understand what he meant. But then anger broke through the numbness, seizing her body and forcing her to deal with yet another heartbreak from her big brother. She released a snort and shook her head, eyes filled with anguish when she finally met his gaze. Of course you are, she said. That's what you do best. It was maybe a little cruel to say, but she didn't care. Frankly, she was exhausted; she couldn't do this with him anymore--it just hurt too much, and he couldn't keep showing up in her life and decimating her like this.