It took Drakahn several hours in a deep dark side meditation to heal himself from Rehn's Force assault. While Rage had only been a bit of a distraction before, now she threatened to jeopardize his work. Rehn was still in the early stages of conditioning, and though he was progressing well, it was slow going. He had to proceed carefully. If he pushed her too hard her memory could return and she would then have to be destroyed. He was counting on Lord Vader to erase the memory entirely when he took over her training.
Rehn stretched as she awoke and shook her upright mane, not having felt this rested for longer than she could remember. She looked around the room and felt a twinge of disappointment when she did not see Drakahn. She could feel when he was near, like she could with Gellan. The hansom stallion was beginning to fill a void she did not want to admit existed and she was beginning to feel torn between her loyalty to the Rebellion and something she could not put her finger on as she was starting to long for his touch and occasional kind words. Her mid day meal waited for her on the floor by the door and she got up and collected it, not wanting Drakahn to think she was not eating again. She showered and dressed in the Jedi tunic and pants left for her, and waited patiently for Drakahn to arrive.
The door open early that evening and the hansom dark Jedi stepped into the room, offering her his hand. "Walk with me." She took his hand with little hesitation walking beside him. He took her to his lavish suite and out to the huge balcony with it's commanding view of the surrounding city, the garrison outside it's walls and the sunset beyond. Rehn stood beside Drakahn at the stone rail and watched the red-orange sun set. It was the first time she had seen scenery that wasn't surrounded by walls in weeks. A soft breeze blew into her face, making her forelock fly and ruffling her mane. She stretched her neck into the wind, inhaling deeply.
"Do you remember much of our world?" he asked, his voice deep and soft. She leaned against the rail in thought, her brow furrowing.
"Only bits and pieces from when I was a foal." she replied, trying to remember "Everyone seemed so sad. They tried to hide it from me, but I knew. I don't really remember much of anything before I started training with Krall.." He could see that it bothered her greatly.
"You will remember in time, Rehn. What Barryk has done to you is not permanent. As you grow stronger in the Force, you will be able to undo what has been done." He sincerely hoped not, but he sounded genuine enough. Drakahn noticed her flatten her ears at her brother's name. Time to move in for the kill.
"You have already learned much, young one. I am proud of you." Drakahn said softly into her ear, standing behind her and putting his arms around her slowly. His muzzle brushed along her golden neck, from shoulder to the tip of her ear, which flicked ticklishly away. She closed her eyes and he felt her tremble at his touch, but instead of pulling away, she leaned into him. He felt Rehn's heart race, could feel the conflict within her. Part of her wanting to defy him in every way possible, the other part wanting so much to please him and hear his praise. Drakahn knew that it was no longer because of fear that she obeyed him. It was because she wanted to. The thought made him smile. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?" he asked, his voice a heavy whisper in her ear. Rehn felt her cheeks flush, though it was invisible beneath her golden fur.
"N-no....."she replied honestly. She had never socialized with anyone other than Gellan, too focused on her work and too busy keeping her skills honed to bother. To her there was little point in making friends within the Rebellion - they either got transferred to other ships and outposts, or they got dead. Having no friends was insulation against the pain of loss a death would cause. Drakahn's arm slid slowly down her body and rested low across her waist, the other around the upper part of her chest at the base of her throat. Gade's body stiffened and she felt suddenly trapped and frightened. Drakahn sensed it as well, but did not relinquish his hold on her and nuzzled her neck and shoulder. He found her scent almost intoxicating.
"I find that I am quite ..."he kissed her cheek tenderly ".. drawn to you, Rehn." that was an understatement of course. His frustration was growing. He knew he could have her right now if he wanted, and it was unlikely she would put up much of a protest, but he had to obey his Master. To his surprise she turned in his arms and opened her eyes, looking up at him. Gone were the hard eyes of a trained warrior and the fearful eyes of a prisoner of war. Her mismatched eyes now reflected what he so much wanted to see - the uncertain, innocent eyes of a filly who's resistance and defiance to both him and the dark side was almost completely shattered. She reached up and tentatively nuzzled his throat and jaw, pressing her body into him. She felt suddenly warm and light-headed as she inhaled his musky, pleasant smell. She felt a sudden, strong need to be with him, and her hips unconsciously pressed a little more firmly into him. Drakahn's jaw clenched with the effort of keeping his arousal from becoming glaringly evident. He release her from his arms and took a step back. She could not hide her confusion was he pulled away, wondering if she'd done something to offend him.
"It is late, and you need your rest..." He said clearing his throat and snapping his fingers. Stormtroopers entered the massive room and escorted her back to her quarters. It would not do to overplay his hand. She had indeed matured quickly, and her body knew what it wanted, even if her brain did not. He could have her now if he wished, and then, Drakahn thought a sneer coming to his lips, your failure protect your daughter will be complete, Seph. The Jedi Master's final and utter defeat was at hand. He would take Rehn ask his mate, and she would bear his heirs. The foals would be more than merely continuations of his bloodline, they would be the Emperor's next generation of enforcers. Drakahn knew Barryk would come for his sister, and Gade's concern for her would be his undoing. Once Barryk was eliminated, the Gade bloodline would come to an end while his would continued on, using the heir of his Clan's oldest enemy, who was also the last hope uniting the scattered Thalcein people. Revenge was indeed a dish best served cold.