Chavva of Relga, a sacred Faerbrarean, floats to him in greeting. He drops to one knee, because she is a 'god', a servant to the will of Eternity. She and her siblings formed the dimensions, bred mortal souls into existence and created solar systems and planets for them to live on. It is Chawwa who created him, and included the feral nature of the Dragon within him. When Rogar is at last released, he dashes to his favorite place in Mortal Heaven. There he remembers his earthly life, and is sad for the children Eve had to leave behind. Over and over he has been paired with Elesa (who on earth was Brock) on the mortal worlds, trying to help her grow, but she clings to pain and disappointment. And in Heaven she follows him. He learns she has followed him again as she has committed suicide on the earthly plane. He can't get free of her.

Chavva of Relga is Elesa's spirit matriarch. It is she who has paired her with Rogar to go to Earth together. She knows Elesa is in love with Rogar, but tells her she can't have him. Elesa is frustrated because Rogar on earth is a loving partner, but here in Heaven he ignores her. Soon Rogar must marry, and a number of people would like the job.

Rogar is relaxing in Forfax Gael, when he'd realizes that something has followed him there. This something torments, and at last knocks him off his feet. When he says it likes to play rough, answering whisperer says plaaay. The only thing he can see a this entity is a pair of black eyes hovering before him in space. Finally he can see the entity's emerald energy. He realizes it is a god, and bows to it with respect. Rogar fights with the entity, and get badly beaten. It is not blood leaking from him through his wounds, it is his energy, concealing like Mercury and hanging from his cuts. He is afraid he will die, but the entity will not let him yield until at last the understands that Rogar can do no more. The entity becomes incorporated within Rogar. Rogar makes it back to Chawwa, who encases him in a stone. Elesa fears he is dead, though there is supposed to be no death in Heaven. And she knows Chawwa has put out a call to protection, that meant that a pair of Rantar Ael now stood at every dimension, everywhere in the Cosmos. Chawwa is very afraid of something.

Finn, a Rantar Ael, stands guard day and night at Rogar's rock tomb. Elesa is also there, for she cannot live without Rogar. At last she is forced to move away, because Chawwa must open the stone. When it shatters it proves to be a geode, lined with green crystals. If Rogar's essence had colored the crystals, they would be amethyst. Within, Rogar is alive, but weak. Finn helps Rogar to his room. Elesa insists on going, too, and staying with Rogar.

Upon awakening, Rogar finds he is changed. He now sees things from the perspective of the flame god. He will tell no one of the changes because he has been sworn to secrecy. He now is nicer to Elesa, and sometimes defies Chawwa.

A member of the high Council has had a vision that a great corrupt Lord is coming, a ruler intent on vengeance. Is Rogar the dark ruler?

GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY is a many-layered, fascinating story. My synopsis only covers a tiny fraction, enough to give the reader an idea of the tale. Rogar is in ways the typical male, but becomes much more, as he and the flame god learn together how they will best serve Eternity. Elesa is devoted to him, and her devotion transforms her from a depressed, unhappy woman to a worthy mate for a Prince. Other characters, Angels and spirits, minor gods and warriors inhabit this story. Heaven may not be what you thought it was. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers-- and those just looking for something a bit different.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Judy Cook
March 31, 2004