Felix awoke the next morning to the sound of his phone buzzing on the nightstand. He groggily reached for it, blinking at the bright screen. The name "Mystic's Legal Services" flashed across the display.
"Oh, no…" he muttered to himself as he answered the call.
"Good morning, Mr. Reid," came the calm, soothing voice on the other end of the line. "This is Hazel from Mystic's Legal Services. We are calling to confirm your scheduled appointment for today at 10:00 AM to discuss the terms of your marriage contract."
Felix sat up, instantly awake. "Wait, we have an appointment?"
"Yes, sir," Hazel replied. "You and your partner are scheduled to meet with one of our legal experts to discuss the intricacies of your binding contract."
Felix rubbed his eyes. "I totally forgot about that. I'll, uh, be there."
"Excellent," Hazel said in a professional tone. "Please be sure to bring all the necessary documents, including the signed contract and any questions you may have regarding its terms. Our office is located on 45th and Arcane, across from the Mystic Academy."
"I got it. We'll be there." Felix hung up, feeling his heart race. "Marissa!"
He jumped out of bed, half-dressed, and nearly tripped over his feet. He was in a frenzy, trying to prepare for what was undoubtedly going to be another chaotic chapter in this bizarre journey.
Marissa, on the other hand, was already up and reading through another magical book at the kitchen table when he stumbled into the room.
"We have an appointment at Mystic's Legal Services at 10," he said, trying to get the words out quickly. "To figure out more about this blasted contract!"
Marissa looked up from her book, unimpressed. "Great. Because I was really hoping we'd be able to wrap this up today." Her voice was laced with sarcasm, but Felix could sense the frustration underneath.
Felix sighed. "Look, I know this is frustrating. But we've been stuck with this for so long, and now we finally have a chance to figure out how to make it stop."
She raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure it's going to be that simple."
"Well, at least we're trying," Felix said, moving toward the door. "I'll get dressed, and we'll head out."
Marissa gave him a look. "I can't believe we're going to a magical law firm to figure out how to undo a magic marriage that we didn't even sign up for in the first place."
Felix flashed a grin. "It's a crazy world, Marissa. But what other choice do we have?"
---
They arrived at Mystic's Legal Services promptly at 10:00 AM. The building was a stark contrast to the rest of the city. Towering spires of glass and stone curved in unnatural angles, sparkling in the sunlight. The entire place had an almost ethereal feel to it, as if they had just entered a different realm.
Marissa and Felix exchanged a nervous glance before stepping inside.
"Welcome to Mystic's Legal Services," greeted a woman behind the counter, wearing an elegant, dark robe with silver embroidery. "How may I assist you today?"
"We have an appointment," Felix said, feeling a bit awkward. "We're here to discuss our... uh... marriage contract?"
The woman nodded, not at all fazed by their unusual situation. "Right this way," she said, leading them through a maze of twisting hallways, their footsteps echoing off the smooth marble floors. After a few moments, they arrived at a grand, ornately decorated office.
Inside, a tall, dignified figure sat behind a massive wooden desk. His robes were richly embroidered with mystical symbols, and his glasses gleamed with an otherworldly light. He stood as they entered.
"Mr. Reid, Miss Walker," he greeted them with a warm, but knowing smile. "I'm Cyrus, the head legal consultant for magical contracts. I understand you've come to discuss the intricacies of your marriage bond?"
Marissa and Felix nodded, both of them still in a bit of a daze from everything they had experienced so far.
"Please, sit down," Cyrus said, motioning to two chairs in front of the desk. "I assume you're already familiar with the most basic elements of the contract. The duration, the proximity clause, and the magical penalties for breaking it?"
Felix sat down first. "We've read through the terms, but to be honest, we're not sure how much we understand. The whole situation feels... well, a little overwhelming."
"I can imagine," Cyrus said, taking a seat across from them. "The magical bond can be complex, but it's important to understand the full scope of the contract. Let's start with the basics."
He pulled out a scroll from his desk, unrolling it with ease. "The contract is, in essence, a binding agreement between two parties. It's designed to ensure stability and protection for both individuals involved. However, the magical elements can complicate things significantly."
Marissa leaned forward. "What do you mean by 'complicate things'?"
Cyrus smiled slightly. "Well, you see, Miss Walker, the magic that binds you is not only emotional but also physical. This proximity clause, for example—your ability to remain apart will be very limited. The closer you get to being too far from one another, the more strain the contract will put on your personal magical energy."
Felix blinked. "So, what does that mean for us?"
"It means," Cyrus said gently, "that if you attempt to separate for any extended period of time, your magical abilities will start to drain. And if that separation continues, it could result in permanent magical depletion."
"Great," Felix muttered under his breath. "So we can't even get space."
Cyrus continued, unfazed. "Indeed. But that is only one aspect. You must also understand the emotional penalties. The bond between you is sensitive to your feelings—both positive and negative. If you grow too resentful or angry toward one another, the magic can trigger physical reactions. For example, sudden outbursts of energy, uncontrollable magical forces, or—if the emotions reach a critical point—transformations."
"Transformations?" Marissa asked incredulously.
"Absolutely," Cyrus confirmed. "Your forms could change as a manifestation of the emotional turmoil. Perhaps one of you could turn into a fiery creature. Or worse, both of you could shift into something far more chaotic if the emotional imbalance is not addressed."
Felix shook his head, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "And there's no way to undo this? No loopholes?"
Cyrus's eyes softened. "In magical law, there are always loopholes—but they're not always easy to navigate. I would advise patience. Over time, the bond will lessen. It's possible to find a solution. But it takes both parties to agree to it."
Felix exchanged a glance with Marissa. The thought of enduring six months of this madness was daunting, but the idea of facing even more unpredictable magical disasters felt even worse.
"Alright," Marissa said, breaking the silence. "What do we need to do next?"
Cyrus leaned forward. "Well, you can begin by ensuring your emotional balance. Work together, communicate, and respect the boundaries of the contract. If things get too complicated, I will be here to assist you. However, I must warn you—magic has a mind of its own, and the consequences of trying to break the bond could be catastrophic."
Felix exhaled slowly. "Right. So no running away or casting spells to break it?"
"Exactly," Cyrus said, his voice serious. "You're in this together for the time being. And only together can you find a way out."
---
The rest of the meeting passed with Cyrus outlining more details about the contract, the penalties for disobedience, and how to mitigate the risks of magical outbursts. Felix and Marissa walked out of the office, feeling both more informed and more confused than ever.
"Well," Felix said with a sigh, "that was... enlightening."
Marissa gave him a sidelong glance. "Yeah. Enlightening in the 'we're stuck in a magical prison' kind of way."
Felix tried to laugh. "Hey, at least we know what to expect now."
Marissa didn't smile. "I'm not so sure that's comforting."
As they walked down the street, the weight of their situation still heavy on their shoulders, they realized one thing was clear: their lives were now bound together by magic. The next few months were going to be a wild ride.
And they had no idea how they were going to survive it.