Free Raines, Elizabeth - Captivated [Wicked Missions 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Elizabeth Raines

the royal family stood. “Izzie, cover yourself and meet me up there.”
    “Wait!” Izzie grabbed his arm, dragging him to a halt. “Don’t tell anyone about the intruder.”
    “Why not? They need to be on alert as well and—”
    “Just listen to me.” She leveled a hard stare at Jayce and then shifted to Damian. “Very few people knew you were at the compound. We need to figure out who exactly had that knowledge because it will narrow down our suspects.”
    “You couldn’t possibly believe my family had anything—”
    “I won’t rule anyone out. Damian will agree.” Izzie was pleased to see him nod in support.
    “Fine,” Jayce said. “I won’t tell anyone about it. For now.”

    * * * *

    Jayce hurried to the dais with Damian hot on his heels. He glanced over his shoulder, watching Izzie drag the pink wenora over her head. His heart was heavy, knowing how much she despised the robe and veil, even if the ones she’d brought from the compound were pretty and feminine. He hated asking her to wear them, but now wasn’t the time to start “rocking the boat,” as Izzie had called it.
    Sure, they’d talked about the changes he might one day be able to enact, but those changes wouldn’t be for years—not until his father either died or chose to abdicate and retire, as his grandfather had done.
    He passed his mother and sisters to reach his father, who was standing with Jayce’s mother. Charisa held the black garments her daughter would wear to mark her transition to womanhood. The color seemed appropriate. Although it was meant to mark the mourning of her childhood, to Jayce, it was a somber sign of how much of her freedom would die that day.
    So unfair!
    “Where have you been?” King Steraph III demanded as he grabbed Jayce’s upper arm, jerking him aside. Dressed from head to foot in royal gold, he looked every bit the part of the stern, seasoned ruler.
    “I told you, I went to the compound.” Jayce didn’t pull away despite how cruelly his father’s fingers dug into his arm.
    “ You didn’t tell me,” Steraph replied, squeezing a little tighter. “A guard did. You are my son. You owe me more courtesy than that.”
    Although Steraph was right, Jayce couldn’t explain why he and Damian had to make such a hurried escape from the palace. He’d been in such a panic about what Izzie had witnessed he’d wanted to get her the hell away from everyone. His father already suspected something strong existed between the two men, judging from the comments about Damian that seemed to grow snider with each passing month. Had Izzie turned out to be an enemy, she could have destroyed his life. “I’m sorry, Father. Damian and I—”
    A growl rose from Steraph’s throat. “Damian. I asked you to dismiss him. There are better bodyguards. Send him away.”
    “None would protect me the way Damian does. He’d give his life for me.”
    “No doubt.” Steraph’s eyes moved to where Damian and Izzie waited several meters away, clearly giving Jayce time alone with his father. Izzie was now covered head to foot with a pink floral print. Only her beautiful eyes could be seen. “Who is that woman?” The king nodded at Izzie.
    Since his father wasn’t waiting to have this family discussion in private, Jayce tried to hold off on introductions. “I’ll explain later when we get back to the palace.”
    “If you wanted to wait, then you shouldn’t have brought her to Kamala’s ceremony. I was sure you wouldn’t even make it. Your own sister, and you treat her this way!”
    Having grown accustomed to the angry tone his father often used, Jayce thought nothing of the scolding, especially since Steraph was right. He should have remembered his sister’s big day. He loved Kamala because of her sweet nature, and she was also his only full-blooded sister. “I was…distracted. I’m sorry, Father. After the hadiadas , I’ll introduce you.”
    “Now,” Steraph demanded. He beckoned to Damian and Izzie with an