A Markov is born, and Ravka holds its breath.

A girl! They rejoice, an oracle for us at last. Two generations it's been now, and we are lost. Svetla Markov is born in a drought. The dirt is cracking apart and no flowers grow. It does not rain during her birth nor in the days, weeks, months that follow. Ravka ignores the forewarning. The Darkling purses his lips and does not leave his Little Palace.

Svetla is a scrawny child, but the world's eyes are now on her. The braid down her back is pristine, not a hair out of place. Svetla dreams of the life she will have every night and every morning she awakes with her sight is a curse. She will bring an end to the drought. She is the most important Markov that has ever lived. She is perfect.

Svetla is destined for nothing. The breath turns into a scoff. Svetla is cursed. The drought does not end.

A Markov is born, and Ravka's breath does not change.

A girl. They whisper, an oracle? The last one failed us, do you not remember? scold the skeptics. The Markovs have never been special, they spit, just an old childhood fable. Grow up.

Cassandra Markov is born in a storm. The rain does not end in the following days, weeks, nor months. It is an unrepentant slaughter of weeping clouds. Why does the moon cry, Ma? asks tiny Cassandra, her braid coming undone from the rain pouring in through the roof. Svetla Markov purses her lips and does not answer.

Ravka ignores the forewarning. The Darkling smiles and is on a horse before nightfall.

Cassandra is a normal girl, who lives without eyes on her. Knobby, skinned knees and a near constant smile plasterer across her features. She sleeps long hours and dreams of normal things. Like fighting dragons, and flying goats, and Genya. Always Genya. The red flame that burns in Cassandra's very soul.

When she is 4, she awakes with one sight gone and a new one acquired. She screams and cries. The downpour begins once more. The moon weeps for the girl and her future that cannot be changed. Nightfall is almost darker. When Svetla explains what's happening, guilt begins to fester in Cassandra's stomach. You are blessed, my darling, Svetla whispers as she braids Cassandra's hair for the last few times, enjoy it.

The Darkling comes to collect his Oracle. The coin flips.

Cassandra's story starts and ends as all tragedies do – with guilt in it's every move.

Cassandra Markov

Chase Sui Wonders
And when you can't sleep at night. You'll hear my stolen lullabies!

Genya Safin

Daisy Head
Like a wave that crashed and melted on the shore.

The Darkling...Ben Barnes
Nikolai Lantsov...As Described
Svetla Markov...As Described
Alina Starkov...Jessie Mei Lee

Driving out into the sun Let the ultraviolet cover me up Went looking for a creation myth Ended up with a pair of cracked lips

A/N: 👁️ Genya Safin is bi because I say so! This is book-based, though j have considered also writing a version based on the second season
👁️ Cassandra's relationship with everyone is very interesting but none more so than her relationship with the Darkling, she definitely sees him as a father figure and like he cares too but is that really true or is it just his manipulation???
👁️ Her relationship with Genya is kinda messed up as well, they're friends as children and then as teenagers things get messy and they're separated but ughhh I love them

WARNINGS: 👁️ canon-typical violence, talks of sexual assault, parental trauma, manipulation, just anything expected in shadow and bone