Dyad - 2012 ABNA Entry

by Jaima Fixsen

Sybaris, the City of Decadent Greeks, 513 BC. Terrified of the ruthless man chosen to be her husband, 14 year old Myia decides to run away. Cy, her twin brother and life-long ally, conceals her escape, making it look like she has been killed by robbers. Journeying to the rival city-state of Croton, Myia finds refuge at the Academy of Pythagoras, a strict and secretive cult. Pythagoras is famous for his knowledge and for admitting female scholars. Finally allowed to study openly, Myia is captivated by the mystery and power of numbers. She is unaware that her flight has triggered an avalanche of tragedy at home. Falling prey to the scheming of Sybaris's ruling Elect, Cy watches as his home is destroyed and his father executed. A hunted fugitive, he escapes and joins Myia in Croton. More concerned with avenging his father and rebuilding his family's honour, Cy is skeptical of Pythagoras's teachings, but knows it would be foolish to offend the Master. For now, he must conceal his ambitions and his interest in Pythagoras's rebellious daughter. Once again, Myia and Cy are threatened by the Sybarite Elect, who demand that Croton give up all Sybarite refugees. Counting on Pythagoras's protection, Myia holds to her oaths. Secretly in love with one of Pythagoras's disciples, she is determined to protect Cy and keep her newfound independence. Divided over the fate of the refugees, resentment for Pythagoras grows in Croton. War with Sybaris is coming, and with it, Cy's chance to revive the family fortunes and take his revenge. Cy and Myia must depend on each other, but their tangled loyalties threaten to drive them apart. A 93,000 word historical novel, DYAD is a story of love and hate in an imploding utopia.

13 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2012

About the author

Jaima Fixsen is a USA Today and international bestselling author living and writing in Alberta, Canada. Her novel The Girl in His Shadow (co-authored under the pen name Audrey Blake) was selected as Libby's 2022 Big Library Read and has been translated into eight languages.
Jaima studied occupational therapy at the University of Alberta, and her experiences learning anatomy and dissecting cadavers began her fascination with the history of science and medical ethics. She loves reading, snow, mountains, snow, history and snow. And Diet Coke.