Caldwyn observed the young Burner princeling as he explained that the hybrid vampire/human magic user was an oddity and his interest was purely curiosity since Fey creatures rarely survived birth in the mortal realm. He chuckled at the comment about the Queen's age and flicked his eyes to the vampire leaning against the arched stone doorway watching her prize and himself. She gave Caldwyn a half smile and a nod again before turning at the sound of footsteps behind her. Caldwyn returned his gaze to the prince before him and ran his hand over his face slowly while he absorbed what Cyne was asking. "There's a reason why those of Fey descent rarely make it past birth. When we first breathe, we need to breathe the air of this realm, to feel the power of this realm fueling our own lifeforce. But even in this realm, it is quite the rarity for the pairing of a vampire and a mortal magic user to result in what you see before you."<br/><br/>The mage extended his hand out before him, drawing in power and igniting a spark of flame in his palm, a single flickering tongue of fire dancing at a whim in his hand. "Remarkably, when one such as myself is born, the laws of magic tend to become a little more lenient..." He held out his other hand and a clump of earth with bits of grass and roots still embedded in it sprang free from the ground below and hurtled into his hand. "As you can see, I have no boundaries in regards to the elements, like most mortal mages do." Caldwyn stated calmly, watching the prince's face with interest to see his reaction.<br/><br/>While Caldwyn entertained Cyne's questions, Elara turned her head to look in the hallway behind her at the older vampire who had stopped near her to peer over her shoulder and watch the exchange. "You let your captive move about the palace freely, Elara?" He asked, looking down at the Queen with disapproval etched in every wrinkle of his face.<br/><br/>Elara's expression did not change even when the other's tone implied he did not think her decision was a wise one. "What else would you have me do with a 'Burner' princeling from the mortal realm, Father?" She countered in her haughtiest tone, turning her back on the taller man who it was obvious she had received his eyes from but nothing else, as he had much fairer hair that was thinner and his facial features were square, while Elara's were far more angular and feminine.<br/><br/>"I would have you not leave such a bargaining piece out in the open where any of your dissenters in the court could come pluck him away and thus re-start the war you just brought to an end." Her father replied, grinding his teeth it seemed almost before turning on his heel and storming off. Elara turned her head to watch him leave, looking mildly surprised that her father had simply left the discussion at that.