Fire witch Ari Zydik has always had a tenuous connection with their magic, and opening themself up to the whims of the universe on Samhain, desperate for a connection to anything hasn’t helped. A chance run-in with a stranger while ice skating leads to a tenuous relationship with Jonathan Aster, an immortal and powerful being—one Ari feels compelled to conquer and dominate. But as Midwinter looms, can Ari tame the fire of an ancient star? This 12,000-word short story was previously published in the Behind the Sun, Above the Moon anthology. Representation: nonbinary gender, aromantic, pansexuality Content warning: Contains consensual BDSM (including pain play) and on-page sex.