"I brought you gifts after I saw the temple, after you granted me passage, for no other reason than I wanted to please you."

The sharp, dark expression remained in Adam's eyes, but the air around him eased when Alec dismissed his weapon and offered to force the gate for him. The offer intrigued him, because it meant Alec trying to defy the temple itself in order to please Adam, and that was a risk that made Adam feel like he mattered.

"Yes," he said, eyes locked on Alec. He stepped to one side to grant Alec passage to the gate. "Force open the gate. If you'll do it for me."