Strolling in one of the gardens helps pass the time. Stinger knows the names of almost all of the flowers and the bees here are all curious about the duo. Aleksa steps away in instinctual reaction to the bees.
"They're just sayin' hi." Letting one crawl onto his index finger, he holds her out to Aleksa to see the blue and purple iridescence. "Don't be afraid."
Her eyebrow lifts in disbelief.
Giving an annoyed sigh before reiterating, "I had to explain this to Her Majesty too. They won't sting you because they're genetically designed to recognize royalty. Any guesses why they're here at the alcazar?"
She steps closer and they gather around her. The little translucent one he holds up shines like a jewel in the sunlight. Gingerly Aleksa holds out her finger and the tiny worker rubs it's antennae on her finger tip.
"She brings greetings from her hive," Stinger interprets.
"My greetings to you and your hive in return," Aleksa punts. Turning her attention to Stinger's question, "To pollinate the many fruit trees?"
"Side benefit. They help identify any shape shifters masquerading as royalty. They're also a great spy network. Brave, loyal, and hardworking."
To a small group of green leaf cutters he tuts mildly.
Aleksa tilts her head in curiosity.
Rolling his eyes he grumbles, "Told 'em to mind their own beeswax."
It brings a small amused smirk to her face. "So your bee genetics allow you to speak with them?"
"Aye." He shoos them all off so the bees aren't being a bother. Though they still hover a few feet away. Changing the subject he suggests, "Usually the center of the maze has a surprise - a place of respite, or a statue, or the like. When I flew over this morning, it wasn't evident and I'm curious. Shall we?"
…
Stinger and the bees soon learn that Aleksa has no directional skills what-so-ever. He suspects it has to do with the fact that the sun rises in the north west on this planet. After a few turns, he has a talk with their flying chaperones about not lining up in front of them to show the way, so they don't ruin the mini adventure. Despite his fussing, they zip about animatedly.
"Are they trying to say something?" Aleksa asks.
"They're excited about us nearing the center. Told 'em not to give it away. Evidently no one's visited the center for a long while."
Four more turns lead them to the center - a miniature flower field with a spiral path that leads around a pond, then to a rise in the center. Aleksa names off poppies, buttercups, lupine, and sunflowers. Stinger points out butterfly weed, cosmos, calliopsis, and several others. As they dally along the path, Aleksa runs her hand over some of the flowers and in surprise exclaims, "They moved! Curled around my hand…"
So, he repeats her actions. Reflexively the flowers gently entwine his fingers. One in particular seems to be persistent and when he backs away, the pretty blossom follows as far as it can. A little bee lands on his shoulder, buzzes for a second then flies off. Chuckling to himself, he picks the cheeky blossom. Aleksa is absorbed in running her hands over the flowers delighting in their reaction, so he clears his throat.
Turning her attention to him, she sees Stinger staring at her intently, standing there with a shimmering bloom of the palest yellow.
"M'lady, this blossom wanted the honor of adorning your hair. May I?"
Her fingertips go to her mouth and she nods, as a fluttering nervousness fills her inside. "It's been over 20 years since anyone…" Her voice trails off as his hand gently brushes over her cheek, guides the stem of the flower behind her ear and then curls it around a lock of her hair. It feels childish to her, but she can't take her eyes off him as he inspects his work and nods approval.
"Who knew flowers had such good taste? But it sets off your lovely face well." Stinger can't seem to look away either as her green eyes sparkle from the reflection off the pond. "I'm surprised they all didn't jump at the chance…"
A stray wisp whips in the breeze and he tucks it behind her other ear. In return, she presses his rough hand against her soft cheek. Such intimate contact, especially after last night, causes his heart to jump in his chest.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the faint glow of a grav beam and it hits him what this maze is. His stomach drops, because he's gonna have to explain and she might think he planned it. Mentally he curses his curiosity.
"Stinger, what's wrong?" she asks seeing the change in his mood.
"I...I just realized what this maze is for…" he trails off, not wanting to say. But she's waiting for the answer. Running a thumb over her cheek once more before the spell breaks completely, he explains, "I couldn't figure it out when I flew over because the very center didn't show well from above. They must have a cloaking field over it." When it isn't registering for her, he grudgingly elaborates as he removes his hand and the magic completely dissipates, "It's a lovers tryst maze. The central area goes to a hidden chamber." Biting his bottom lip then apologizing, he looks away ashamed, "I'm sorry m'lady. It wasn't a trick... I promise."
Placing her hand under his chin and making him meet her gaze, she can't help but bust out in laughter at his pouting face. He steps back and his jaw tightens.
Seeing he's rather affronted, she covers her mouth with the back of her hand to quell her giggles. Taking his hands in hers, still unable to wipe the smile off her face, she shares the reason for her reaction. "Stinger Apini. Don't you find it ironic that the one of us with a century's experience in the ways of the verse, still has a smidge of innocence?" Kissing his cheek she whispers, "Absolutely charming."
He shakes his head shyly, then impulsively cups her face in his hands and locks his lips with hers. It causes her to jump at first, but she responds by wrapping her arms around his neck to stop him from pulling away after the initial kiss. With sparks running up and down his spine and his heart racing, he wants nothing more than to sweep her up and take her to the hidden room. He puts his forehead to hers and runs an index finger over the contour of her lips as he whispers, "You keep surprising me. By the gods, you're amazing Aleksa."
Another thought occurs to him when he notices a lack of lavender on her skin. It was there before they entered. He'd better act on this before his head is completely clouded with the emotion and the hormones pounding through his veins. Wrapping her fingers around his hand, he grazes his lips over her knuckles, "Will you return with me at some point, m'lady?"
She closes her eyes and smiles at the thought, a little disappointed but knowing they have responsibilities. Resigned to the tasks ahead, but still caught up in the headiness of this place she winks and teases, "I'll consider it."
One more quick kiss and they force themselves to walk back down the path. There seems to be some sort of resistance to them walking this direction. Not strong enough to stop them, but noticeably there. Suspicions confirmed, he grabs her hand and starts to run with her out of the garden.
Panting as they arrive a few turns away, Aleksa exclaims, "What in the world was happening back there?"
"You noticed it too?" he verifies.
"Yeah. Like amplifying my feelings fifty times over."
As his pulse returns to a normal pace but there's still a warm glow in his chest, he pulls her to him and wraps his arm around her. "I'm glad we figured it out. The aphrodisiacs in there were so strong, I couldn't smell the lavender you wore. That's when I realized it was more than our own emotions."
Tucking her head into the crook of his neck, she's content to remain there for several moments. "It was so enchanting," she almost inaudibly voices the thought — afraid it will turn out to all have been a dream.
When she can think straight again, she pulls back enough to see his face. "Stinger, If you're worried at all about bringing me here, don't. Deep down, I knew I'd still want to be with you. It just would have taken a little longer. The words were too hard to say at the time."
Pressing his lips to her forehead, his throat is tight as he croaks, "Thank you."
…
Walking out of the maze hand in hand, they notice the servants look at them quizzically then go back to their duties. Stinger starts to be put out with their stares, but keeps it to himself. It's Aleksa who finally asks, "Takul, why is everyone giving us funny looks?"
Shuffling uncomfortably, he dodges, "Lady Jones, were you displeased with the maze garden?"
Her eyes narrow, "No. We were rather spellbound by it. So, spill the beans."
Licking his lips and swallowing, he looks for a way to phrase it as delicately as possible, "Well… it's just that… well… no one's visited that maze for hundreds of years, it would have been particularly powerful. Would have done it's best to give you two the desire of your heart… No one ever comes out of that maze through the entrance." Relieved she doesn't seem to be offended, he zips off before she can ask anything else.
"We'll have to visit it again soon, so the poor garden doesn't sulk," she nudges Stinger impishly.
After he's able to close his gaping mouth, he wraps his arm around her waist and promises, "M'lady, I wouldn't deny you anythin'."
He wonders if it's his imagination, but he could swear the flower in her hair seems to have regained a bit of it's glimmer.