"A few hours is more than I expected." Alec hadn't really thought that Adam would want to stay. He might be the priestess, but if someone could leave, why wouldn't they? The priestess wasn't tied to the temple the way Alec was. "I -" He wanted to say that he appreciated the company but he didn't know how to say it without sounding like he resented his duty. He didn't. He'd made his choice but it was lonely.

"Why do you have to work? If you're the priestess you should be given tributes for your service." That was how it had worked in the past. Those who tended the temples were given the resources they would need or there were tithes to help the priestess maintain the sacred places.

Noticing how uncomfortable Adam seemed, Alec forced a smile as he gestured toward the gate, causing Emily to grumble. "You can go, if you want. I don't mind if you don't want to stay." He would mind, but not because of duty. It would be for selfish reasons. No matter how much the idea of company appealed to him, he wouldn't demand that Adam stayed. "You might be bound to the ley line but this isn't a duty that you chose."