Daniel Grigori

Quick Facts: Daniel Grigori is the brooding, immortal love interest of Luce Price in Fallen. A fallen angel, he is cursed to repeatedly fall in love with Luce, only to watch her die. He first appears at Sword & Cross reform school, where he tries to push Luce away to protect her. His character is central to the theme of Forbidden and Fated Love.

Who He Is

Daniel is the quintessential Byronic hero—haunted by a tragic past, fiercely protective, and torn between his love for Luce and the curse that dooms them. He carries the weight of centuries, his immortality a burden rather than a gift. His initial coldness masks a deep, unwavering love and a desperate desire to break the cycle of loss that has defined his existence.

Personality & Traits

Daniel's personality is a complex tapestry woven with threads of cold detachment and burning passion. Millennia of loss have shaped him into a figure who initially prioritizes Luce's safety above all else, even if it means pushing her away.

• Brooding and Aloof: Daniel often appears distant and even hostile, a defense mechanism built to protect Luce. Examples include flipping her off upon their first meeting and constantly telling her to stay away.
• Fiercely Protective: Despite his attempts at distance, Daniel's protective instincts always win out. He saves Luce from the falling statue in the cemetery and from the fire in the library, demonstrating his inability to truly abandon her.
• Tormented: Daniel is burdened by his immortality and the curse that separates him from Luce. He carries the weight of their shared, painful history, often appearing exhausted and resigned.
• Intense and Passionate: When he allows his feelings to surface, Daniel's love for Luce is all-consuming. His actions are driven by a deep, unwavering passion that has endured for centuries.

Character Journey

Daniel's arc in Fallen is a movement from resigned despair to cautious hope. He begins the novel committed to pushing Luce away, believing it's the only way to prevent her death. However, his resolve crumbles as his love and protective instincts take over. Saving Luce from the falling statue marks a turning point, revealing his inability to stay away. As the story progresses, he allows himself moments of vulnerability, culminating in his confession at the lake, where he reveals his angelic nature, their shared past lives, and the curse that haunts them. Discovering that Luce survived their kiss, he embraces a newfound hope that this lifetime could finally be different.

Key Relationships

• Lucinda "Luce" Price: Luce is the center of Daniel's eternal existence. Their relationship is defined by a powerful, fated bond that transcends time, but also by the tragic paradox that their love triggers her death. Daniel's actions are constantly driven by his desire to protect her, even if it means pushing her away.

• Cameron "Cam" Briel: Cam is Daniel's ancient rival, both in the celestial war and for Luce's affection. Their animosity is deeply personal and results in violent confrontations. Daniel views Cam as a threat to Luce's safety and happiness, warning her to stay away from him.

• Arriane Alter and Gabrielle "Gabbe" Givens: As fellow fallen angels allied with Daniel, Arriane and Gabbe serve as his confidantes and protectors of Luce. They understand the stakes of his relationship with Luce and assist him in the battle against Cam and other demons, providing guidance and support.

• Miss Sophia Bliss: Initially appearing as a kind librarian, Miss Sophia is revealed to be a Zhsmaelim who wants to kill Luce permanently to tip the balance of the war. She serves as a primary antagonist, manipulating events from behind the scenes and posing a significant threat to Luce's life.

Defining Moments

• The Prologue (Helston, 1854)
  • This scene sets the stage for the entire series, showing the tragic cycle of Daniel and Luce's love. Daniel sketches Luce, knowing he must leave to save her, but when they kiss, she dies in flames. This moment explains his behavior in the present day.
• The Falling Statue
  • During detention, a massive statue falls toward Luce, and Daniel instantly saves her. This act contradicts his cold words and shows that his protective instincts outweigh his attempts to remain distant.
• The Confession at the Lake
  • After rescuing Luce from Cam, Daniel takes her to the lake and reveals the truth about their past: "The person I fall in love with each time is you." This confession is the emotional climax, revealing the full scope of their tragic romance.
• The Library Fight
  • After Cam kisses Luce, Daniel's jealousy and rage explode, leading him to attack Cam. This violent confrontation highlights the intensity of his feelings for Luce and the ancient enmity between the two angels.

Essential Quotes

"If I leave, I save your life. Some things are more important than love. You won’t understand, but you have to trust me."

Daniel's words encapsulate his internal conflict: his love for Luce versus his desperate need to protect her. This quote highlights the tragic nature of their relationship, where love and safety are mutually exclusive.

"The person I fall in love with each time is you."

This simple yet profound statement reveals the core of Daniel's existence. It underscores the eternal nature of his love for Luce and the tragic cycle he is doomed to repeat.

"I get to live, and to watch babies being born, and grow up, and fall in love. I watch them have babies of their own and grow old. I watch them die. I am condemned, Luce, to watch it all over again and again. Everyone but you... You don’t get to fall in love... You don’t get to have babies and grow old, Luce."

This poignant quote captures the burden of Daniel's immortality. He is forced to witness the beauty and pain of life, knowing that Luce is perpetually denied these experiences. It highlights the unfairness of their curse and the depth of his sorrow.