Meanwhile, at that precise moment, in her shop, Titiana stiffened then doubled over as if in great pain.  Instantly Mark and April were at her side but neither touched her.

"Is it time, Lady?", Mark asked, but already knew the answer.

Titiana remained bent over but nodded.

Mark bowed, left the room and, minutes later,  he returned carrying the slumbering form of Napoleon Solo.

"I, too, have come, my Queen", a small voice announced.

Titiana roused herself at those words, straightened to her full height, stretched out both arms towards the rear wall and cried in a voice that cracked like thunder.  "Open, Ye Portal of Faerie!!"

The  floor shook with the force of a 4.0 earthquake; the wall shimmered then disappeared, leaving in its wake Oberon, King of Faerie.  Beside him stood what appeared to be a tall, gangly youth yet, closer inspection revealed a face filled with intelligence, power and mischief - this is Robin Good fellow, or The Puck, Companion/Servant to Oberon   "Hail, Titiana, Lady/Wife and Queen of Faerie!", cried Oberon.

"Hail, Oberon, Lord/Husband and King of Faerie!", she responded.  "It is time", she added as a reminder.

"So be it!  Human, bring The First Knight to me and lay him in my arms!". Mark Slate stepped forward and followed Oberon's instructions to the letter. "Well done.  He is now under my Protection."  He turned to face Waverly's grandson. "Place The Key in its appointed position!"  Valentine obeyed, holds the Book above Solo's folded hand, and lets go.  Those same hands, as if
possessed of a will of their own, reached up, grasped the Book and settled it on the human's chest.

"Lord of Shadows, may I speak?", asked April Dancer.

"Speak."

"What of the Dark One?"

"He will have to deal with Faerie.  Faerie has what He searches for."

"And Il....the Prince?"

"As usual the Prince knows exactly what he's doing", Mark replied, his eyes twinkling.